Marsha Anne Gomez facts for kids

Marsha Anne Gomez (December 24, 1951–1998) was a talented sculptor, art teacher, and activist. She is best known for her powerful series of sculptures called Madre del mundo, which means Mother of the World.

Early Life and Education

Marsha Anne Gomez was born in Baton Rouge, Louisiana. Her father, Walter Anthony Gomez, Jr., came from the Canary Islands. Her mother, Anna Lula Gomez, had Cajun and Choctaw heritage.

In 1971, Gomez earned a degree from Nicholls State College. She studied special education and also art education. Later, in 1981, she earned another degree in art education from the University of Arkansas in Fayetteville.

Art and Activism

In 1981, Marsha Anne Gomez moved to Austin, Texas. There, she worked as a sculptor and a teacher. Her art often explored themes related to her indigenous heritage and important issues like social justice.

Gomez helped start two important groups: the Indigenous Women's Network and the Foundation for a Compassionate Society. These groups worked to support women and promote kindness in the world.

The Madre Del Mundo Sculpture

In 1988, Gomez created her famous sculpture, Madre Del Mundo (Mother of the World). She made it for a protest on Western Shoshone land near a nuclear test site in Nye County, Nevada. This sculpture was taken by a government agency, but it was later returned after a legal fight.

Gomez made copies of the sculpture. One copy was placed near Pantex, a weapons plant in Texas. Another copy can be found at Casa de Colores in Brownsville, Texas. There is also a copy at the Temple of the Goddess Spirituality in Indian Springs, Nevada. At this temple, you can also see another sculpture by Gomez, which is of the Egyptian goddess Sekhmet.

Later Life

Marsha Anne Gomez passed away in 1998.