Ayo Maat has been a patient at Shirley Ryan AbilityLab for more than 25 years and has received various types of therapy within the hospital. She uses art therapy to help mute pain and express deep feelings. She also uses art to face challenges in other areas of her life. Ayo has learned how to live in peace and harmony in a world filled with chaos by turning to her creativity. Her art flows from a greater appreciation of life and a perpetual need to see the divine, create harmony and destroy disharmony, to love her life and soul, no matter the circumstances. She knows that art may not be a cure for poverty, pain and suffering, but it certainly helps. Ayo loves multimedia presentations and enjoys mixing pastels with color pens. Until she regained use of her hands, she could not draw, paint, work with clay or make jewelry. Now she can — and does!
I am a high-school student from Woodbridge, Virginia. I am a current patient and came to Shirley Ryan AbilityLab following a traumatic spinal cord injury. I love listening to music, especially hip-hop (drill and trap). I like basketball and football. And I grew up in a Christian family and have always been involved with the church. I enjoy looking at nature and creating nature-based abstract art. My medium is painting with watercolor and acrylic paint. Painting is pretty new to me, but I am hoping to expand my journey in creativity through a new art tool. Art has helped me to find a reason to be excited. Painting helped me stabilize my emotions during my rehabilitation and find peace. It has changed my perspective in what I can do and what I can express through creative arts.
Transition Beneath the Surface 11”x14”
Violated: Cultural Mascara 13.5” x 12.5”
Untitled No. 4 9”x12”
Romancing the Goldstone 16”x20”
Crystals Unmasked 20”x16”
Managing the Blues 10.5”x13.5”
Untitled No. 3 9”x12”
Crimson in the Midst 11”x14”
Contemplating New Life: 3 Viewpoints 7”x5” each (2)
Untitled No. 1 9”x12”
Celebrate Higher Frequency • 11”x14”
Anatomy of A Toothache 11”x14”
Autumn Full Blown 16”x12”
Untitled No. 2 8.5”x11”
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