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Empowering Identities: McKinley Wallace III's Resilient Art and Inclusive Education

The Truth In This Art: Stories That Matter
The Truth In This Art: Stories That Matter
Episode • Feb 11, 2022 • 48m

Join us on 'The Truth in This Art' as we explore the beauty and complexity of art in all its forms, with your guide, Rob Lee. For today’s episode, we have McKinley Wallace III, a Baltimore-based mixed-media painter and dedicated educator. McKinley's art embodies the strength of the oppressed, showcasing resilience and power within black communities. As a Master of Arts in Teaching candidate at Maryland Institute College of Art, he aims to cultivate people-oriented environments that foster inclusive community building and high-quality learning. McKinley's curriculum and studio practice integrate community-based projects, encouraging learners to invest in educating themselves and others both in and outside of school. Notably, during the COVID-19 pandemic, McKinley collaborated with a group of high school youth to create a social-distanced mural called "A Promising Future" in West Baltimore. The mural represents a safe space for non-consensus racial beings, empowering the youth to feel culturally recognized and embraced without judgment. Through his art, McKinley creates identity-affirming spaces that stand the test of time, celebrating the contributions of black people in their struggle for a promising future.


In this installment:

  • McKinley Wallace III's focus on mixed media paintings embodies the strength of the oppressed.
  • His art narrates stories of black power, struggle, resilience, and the embrace of black culture.
  • Embracing failure, Wallace uses it as a valuable opportunity to learn and evolve as an artist.
  • Viewing art as a dynamic game, Wallace continually experiments with new approaches and communicates his ideas effectively.
  • Believing in the transformative power of education, he sees teaching as a learning journey alongside his students.
  • The vibrant and supportive Baltimore artistic community deeply influences Wallace's creative expression, fostering candid discussions about race and culture.


You won't want to skip this one! McKinley III's art showcases resilience and embraces black culture, telling stories of power and struggle. He combines abstraction and realism with past imagery for a timeless quality, exploring belonging and systemic oppression's impact. Embracing failure, feedback, and different perspectives, he sees art as a constant game of trying new approaches and communicating ideas. As an educator, he values active listening, questions, and collaborative opportunities that challenge and align with his message. Baltimore's vibrant artistic community inspires his work, fostering creativity and candid conversations about race and culture.


Mentioned in this episode:

McKinley's Website
Picture credit: Justin Tsucalas 

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Host: Rob Lee
Music: Original music by Daniel Alexis Music with additional music from Chipzard and TeTresSeis.
Production:

  • Produced by Rob Lee & Daniel Alexis
  • Edited by Daniel Alexis
  • Show Notes courtesy of Rob Lee and Transistor

Photos:

  • Rob Lee photos by Vicente Martin for The Truth In This Art and Contrarian Aquarian Media.
  • Guest photos courtesy of the guest, unless otherwise noted.

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