“EARTH and LIFE” Solo Exhibition by Wayman Scott. Community Arts Gallery

EARTH AND LIFE, pays tribute to historical figures and bears witness contemporary struggles. It highlights the likes of Mother Mary Lang, who founded the first black catholic school in America, along with Frederick Douglass, and Elijah Cummings for their work toward civil rights and freedom of black people during their lives.  

The killing of unarmed black people prompted me to sculpt a new Pieta to highlight the value of black life. EARTH AND LIFE, displays an interpretation of Michael Angelo’s Pieta with Jesus and Mary as African American people to show that black lives matter.  Johnny J who models Jesus is a GNA and hospice aide who shared how his experience of police harassment effected is ability to trust police. Sharmean Y who models for Mary is a GNA has two brothers who serve as police officers. While both models have different experiences, they both support the movement for Black Lives. 

Artist Statement/Bio 

Wayman Scott is a free-lance artist who initially focused on human figure in the medium of pencil before transitioning to sculpture. Continuing to focus on human figure Wayman uses contemporary, historical, and religious art to pay tribute to heroes, past and present. Wayman’s art highlights the story of the marginalized using Baltimore City as a tapestry. Wayman studied fine arts at Towson University and completed a summer residency at Baltimore Clayworks in 2022. In 2022 Wayman was featured in The Arlington Catholic Herald, the Catholic Virginian, and The Wilmington Dialog.  In 2021 his work was featured in the Catholic Review.