DELITA
MARTIN
MIXED MEDIA MURAL
Blue Is the Color We See Before We Die
Returning to the scene of Yvette Smith’s killing at the hands of Officer Daniel Willis, mixed media artist Delita Martin incorporates patterns, colors, and objects of symbolism into a sweeping mural to peel back the mask of Ms. Smith’s killer. Martin’s layering of technique and material signifies a liminal space — the space between the waking life and the spirit life. By fusing this visual language with oral storytelling, she offers room for the narratives of women of color to live on. In this piece, Martin’s layering includes: shadow figures of Ms. Smith’s neighbors as background reference; a cone flower as a symbol of strength and healing; and a drawing of Ms. Smith, her body depicted realistically, while her face bears similarity to an African mask. A red poppy flower, which is often associated with remembrance, appears in the area where Ms. Smith was shot. Appearing ominous, Willis unmasks his face which is partially covered by the Blue Lives Flag, and Martin calls for him to be held accountable by positioning him facing the viewer. The finished physical mural, sized 103 inches wide x 77 1/4 inches high, combines collaging, drawing, painting, printmaking, and sewing techniques.
Case Overview
At approximately midnight on February 16, 2014, Yvette Smith called 911 during a dispute between her friend Willie Thomas and his son at the Thomas residence. When Bastrop County police arrived at the house to address the domestic disturbance, the worst appeared to be over and Willie Thomas was standing outside. Texas Sheriff Deputy Officer Daniel Willis saw Ms. Smith inside the home and ordered her to come out. As Ms. Smith opened the door and stepped outside, Deputy Willis yelled, “Police!” and fired two shots from his personal AR-15 .223 semiautomatic rifle, killing her. Initially, the police claimed that Ms. Smith had a weapon and disobeyed the officers. The body camera video showed no weapon and Ms. Smith coming out of the house as directed.
The Artist
Delita Martin is an artist currently based in Huffman, Texas. She received a BFA in drawing from Texas Southern University and an MFA in printmaking from Purdue University. Formally a member of the fine arts faculty at the University of Arkansas at Little Rock, Martin is currently working as a full-time artist in her studio, BlackBox Press. Primarily working from oral traditions, along with vintage and family photographs as a source of inspiration, Martin’s work explores the power of the narrative impulse through a combination of collaging, drawing, painting, printmaking, and sewing techniques.
Martin’s work has been exhibited both nationally and internationally including at the National Museum for Women in the Arts in Washington, DC and welcomed into the Library of Congress. Recognized as a Master Printer, she served as the 2021 Keynote speaker for the Mid America Print Council.
Delita’s Mural on Display!
For a limited time, Instagram users were able to access an exclusive AR filter to display the mural anywhere!