2017 // see me shine! by greta mclain
See Me Shine!
by Greta McLain / GoodSpace Murals
McLain, in collaboration with Eastdale residents, envisioned and fabricated this work utilizing an indirect parachute cloth mural technique.
Greta McLain, a Minneapolis artist whose work can be seen around the world, worked with her team, local artists and the community to fabricate the mural over four months. The project was funded by the Footprint Foundation, the Benwood Foundation and City of Chattanooga.
About the Artwork
McLain’s mural revolves around the theme of a bright future for East Chattanooga families and children. The design incorporates both ends of the tunnel to celebrate the neighborhood and features portraits of children from the local community.
The West Tunnel Entrance mural includes three main visuals: family and the home, sun textile patterns, and a young female child. The first visual depicts large hands encompassing the family and their home as a symbol of protection. Next, McLain includes traditional African textile patterns to show pride in past culture and the goals of the future. Finally, the artist’s includes a portrait of a local child with arm outstretched and the words “See me Shine! The addition of this portrait and words speaks to the limitless potential of the youth in the community.
The East Tunnel Entrance mural also has three visuals of children, butterflies, and cloth textiles. McLain incorporates several portraits of community children playing, jumping rope, and studying in school to symbolize the celebration and success of the youth in the community. Featured around and even attached to the children like wings are butterflies, symbols of the possibility for transformation. The artist also includes traditional African textile patterns to connect the designs of both tunnels and continue the theme of pride in culture.
About the Artist
Greta McLain has over 10 years of mural making experience spent exploring the ways that art can bring communities together, the power of visual language to activate voice, and the potential of art as a vehicle for hands-on organizing and educating. She has traveled to South America and Europe studying new and traditional techniques. She has created projects in and around Minneapolis and Saint Paul, Memphis, Philadelphia, Argentina, Mexico, and France.
Greta has shown her deep commitment to her South Minneapolis community with over 30+ murals and 15+ community projects in the Twin Cities. She continues to work out of Minneapolis and travels around the country/world doing projects wherever community art can be activated as a tool for positive community engagement! She earned her BA from University of California Davis and her MFA from Minneapolis College of Art and Design.
Connect with Us
Public Art Chattanooga
(423) 643-7823
publicart@chattanooga.gov