This Series of Paintings Captures the Pain of Mothers of Children Lost to State Violence

"Circle of Mothers" by Sylvia Maier is a compilation of individually painted portraits of the mothers of victims of police brutality. Each mother has lost a child to the violence of police enforcement. Maier places each portrait of each mother on coins.

This collection of work by Maier is a reflection on the value we hold in the narratives of these mothers. How do we see these women as integral parts of a bigger narrative?

The women that participated in the series include Kadiatou, the mother of Amadou Diallo, Hawa Bah, mother of Mohammed Bah, Constance Malcolm, mother of Ramarley Graham, Iria Baez, mother of Anthony Baez, Sybrina Fulton, mother of Trayvon Martin and Valerie Bell, mother of Sean Bell.
The collection is currently being featured in the Yeelen Gallery in Miami. The gallery will also be a part of an upcoming documentary called “Saving Tomorrow Today” which focuses on education reform and it’s importance in ending the narrative of black people being killed by police.

Constance Malcom, mother of Ramarley Graham
Hawa Bah, mother of Mohammed Bah
Sybrina Fulton, mother of Trayvon Martin Iris Baez, mother of Anthony Baez
Kadiatou Diallo, mother of Amadou Diallo

Valerie Bell, mother of Sean Bell



Image Credit: Sylvia Maier