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McKinley Martin

1x

Finalist

1x

Winner

General information

Hobbies & Interests

  • Music
  • Painting and Studio Art
  • Business And Entrepreneurship

Reading

  • Fantasy

I read books multiple times a week.

Bio

My name is McKinley, my friends call me Kinley. I’m the type of person who’s passionate and “all in” on the things I love to do. Art, running my face painting business, like dancing, playing guitar, and fishing. I’m starting the next step in my career, stepping into college to further my art education, and it's exciting. I’ve had great teachers in high school, and I’m ready to build on that foundation to learn new things and have new, exciting experiences. One day, I will pair my artistic talent with my entrepreneurial spirit.

Education

Rockwall Heath High School

High School

2022 – 2026

Miscellaneous

Desired degree level:
Bachelor's degree program
Majors of interest:
Fine and Studio Arts
Desired degree modality:
In-Person, Full-Time
Medical school interest:
No

Career

Miscellaneous

Dream career field:
Arts
Work experience:
3 years
Has nursing license:
No
Mad Genius Scholarship
Winner
The constant push and pull between technology and Nature reflects the balance between innovation and perseverance, where metal meets moss and circuits meet roots, a new harmony begins to form. Through my artwork, I am exploring the competitive struggle between technology and Nature, as well as how both elements can coexist. In my sculpture, I am using real materials from today’s technology and natural materials to represent the eco-technological conflict further. In today’s world, we have transformed vast forests into concrete jungles, grassy plains into housing developments, and natural wonders into tourist attractions. And although much of the new technology and infrastructure in today’s society has been distributed throughout the world, Nature will always find a way to overcome it. In my creative process, I incorporated two objects from opposite sides of Nature to create something new, symbolizing the ongoing clash between the natural world and human innovation. My expressive unification of technology was incorporated into the rotary phone. By stripping the phone of its wires, circuit board, buttons, and other components, I created a representation of the technological advancement that grows alongside Nature. On the natural side, I was able to blend in the environmental aspect to my sculpture by combining various pieces in an ecosystem, such as wood, moss, and grass, to merge both worlds. In the end, this sculpture stands as a reflection of the ever-evolving relationship between technology and the environment, two forces often seen as opposites, yet deeply intertwined. Through its contrasting materials and balanced forms, it reveals that progress and preservation need not conflict. Instead, they can coexist, shaping a future where innovation respects Nature’s balance. The work becomes more than a symbol of competition; it is a vision of unity, a reminder that harmony can emerge even from tension, if both worlds learn to grow together.
McKinley Martin Student Profile | Bold.org