Marela Zacarias, Maheegan, 2024, acrylic, wire mesh and plaster, PS 138 Addition, Bronx

Maheegan is a site-specific artwork created by Marela Zacarias for the lobby of the new P.S. 138 Addition, Bronx. The installation features eight sculptures arranged in a dynamic, sweeping wall composition that spans across the entire lobby. The colorful, undulating forms with their gentle curves and folds read as soft fabrics formed in unique shapes. Though abstract, they encourage imaginative and creative comparisons to existing objects and creatures. Zacarias was inspired by cultures around the world and across history to create the artwork’s geometric patterns. Her hand-painted sculptures feature decorative motifs influenced by sources including Indian weavings, Pacific Northwest Native American beaded garments, Ghanaian Kente cloth, Mexican textiles, Moroccan carpets, and ancient Greek pottery. 

The artwork was conceived as a metaphor for the school’s identification as a wolfpack, where individuals unite to work together and support one another as a group. Maheegan means “wolf” in Algonquian. Just as wolves in a pack rely on each other for strength and survival, the artwork reflects the diverse yet interconnected student body of P.S. 138, coming together to form a supportive and cohesive community.