THIS IS MY STORY
Martina Maya-Callen

          I am an interdisciplinary artist who uses art as a catalyst for social change, spreading awareness and healing within society. My practice is rooted in the belief that art is a form of contemporary alternative medicine—an avenue for both individual and collective healing. Through intersecting mediums, I weave together sculpture, painting, performance, and installation, allowing each piece to serve as both a personal reflection and a communal offering. My work is an invitation—to slow down, to feel, to connect, and to heal.

Right now, my art practice is evolving, becoming deeply intertwined with nature and a journey toward inner grounding. I find myself drawn to the earth’s wisdom, exploring natural pigments, organic materials, and the elements as a way to center my work in connection with the land. This shift is an intentional return to self, a practice of presence, and a commitment to sustainability. By creating from the earth itself, I not only depict nature—I collaborate with it. This practice is a meditation, a way of reclaiming my place within the natural world and inviting others to do the same.

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           For years, my work was centered on using art for advocacy, shedding light on difficult topics—mental health, sexual assault, human trafficking, and systemic inequality. Art was my vehicle for reclaiming my voice after it had been stripped away. Through installation, performance, and visual storytelling, I confronted silences, broke stigmas, and amplified conversations that demanded to be heard. This was an essential chapter of my journey, a powerful time of using art to bring awareness to what society often shies away from. My work was recognized on international platforms, featured in Cosmopolitan, Teen Vogue, Bustle, and more for its role in the body acceptance and mental health movements. My installation and performance piece was named one of Cosmopolitan’s 13 Most Inspiring Body Positive Moments of 2017.

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           While advocacy remains deeply embedded in my artistry, my practice has transitioned toward community healing. I now focus on creating spaces for restoration, connection, and self-reclamation—art that does not just speak about healing but actively fosters it. My passion remains in the intersection of art and wellness, where creativity becomes a means of transformation, a way to nurture both the self and the collective. 

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