Woman on the bench:
In the beginning, the despair of homelessness settled on the woman sitting on the park bench with her basket, looking at the vacant buildings that say “no bums allowed”. The scene shows how society feels about homeless people; they assume that the homeless person has never tried to help themselves and they don’t consider that something may have happened to them to make them become homeless. A series of circumstances puts you there, and it could happen to anyone when there’s no one to help and no compassion. There is a story for every person. You can’t put them in a category.
Hand with the Key:
It’s about hope, freedom, independence and Self-awareness. You get to know more about yourself when you’re in your own space.
“I sleep with my keys. I can’t leave my keys; even when I take a bath I make sure they’re in my hand. I make noise with them. They exist! When I first got to Chicago I only had one key. Now I have many. It’s my identity. It’s a safety net. They prove I exist!”
The ribbons on the key represent joy, happiness, excitement. When I got my keys, I had to put something on it to be “my keys”—something to symbolize yourself and how you feel about your place.
The Sun:
Things are getting brighter. When you get your key to the Miriam to start a new life and have hope, things get better. It was dark and gloomy before.
It’s a brighter day. It gives you hope, enthusiasm. You actually feel good, like something is actually happening instead of the clouds.
The Bird:
Being free, taking flight. Use your imagination. Let your dreams take flight.
Windows on the Building:
Everyone who lives here is a unique person. Here we have the option to decorate our rooms with our own choice. Dare to change because it’s a big change; I was used to being handed everything before, and now I’m in a situation to CHOOSE everything!
You never think about those little things until you get your own house. Things that are pretty--- it makes you feel good. Now you have something else to work on other than finding your next place to go.
The Red Shoes:
Ruby red slippers like in the Wizzard of Oz, “There’s no place like home”
The Stepping Stones:
As you go on your way, the sun becomes brighter and you reach out. You have a key in your hand and a chance to become a Miriam woman and have a different and new reality. The stepping stones behind her are obstacles she overcame. You’re on your way to a new beginning.
Woman with the Atlas on Her Back:
We feel like the weight of the world is on our shoulders. You’re lost and invisible to the world, even though you carry all of your stuff. They don’t care if you look good or bad or feel good or bad. I didn’t want to be seen in those conditions. It’s nothing you ever imagined or want. You wear stuff that was given to you even if it doesn’t fit or look right, but you have to wear it to keep yourself together.
Thoughts about Working on the Mural (Many People in a Small Space):
I don’t want to go down that road (homelessness) again. Once you feel secure, you can work on that next step. So far I’ve only been able to work on not being homeless.
Sometimes painting was about painting to get your mind off your problems and getting away from people.
I don’t know what it was like; I just tuned out . When I tuned back in, it was time to leave.
I’m a people person, so it was okay.