El Mac Unveils First Philadelphia Mural "Elation—Elegance—Exaltation" for Throughlines
El Mac, an artist from Los Angeles whose real name is Miles MacGregor, has unveiled his inaugural mural in Philadelphia, named "Elation—Elegance—Exaltation," located at 412 North 2nd Street. This piece is part of the Throughlines exhibition organized by Mural Arts Philadelphia. Depicting a young woman inspired by Sy’Ana, a participant in the Mural Arts program, the mural shows her holding a rose surrounded by dynamic lines. While working, El Mac drew inspiration from local musicians such as Sun Ra and John Coltrane. The mural's title alludes to a prayer from Coltrane's 1964 album A Love Supreme, highlighting themes of spiritual appreciation. Supported by Jane Golden and others, it emphasizes creative expression as a pathway to belonging, showcasing El Mac's signature style of tightly woven lines to convey form and motion.
Key facts
- El Mac has completed his first mural in Philadelphia, titled "Elation—Elegance—Exaltation."
- The mural is installed at 412 North 2nd Street and is part of Throughlines, Mural Arts Philadelphia’s citywide exhibition.
- The work centres on a young woman holding a rose, with the bloom rising above her in a field of radiating contour lines.
- The figure is based on Sy’Ana, a young Philadelphia artist and student in Mural Arts’ art-education programme.
- El Mac, born Miles MacGregor, is a Los Angeles artist known for portraits built through tightly repeated, undulating lines.
- While painting, he listened to musicians with local roots including Sun Ra, Lee Morgan, and John Coltrane.
- The mural’s title comes from a prayer written by John Coltrane for his 1964 album A Love Supreme.
- Support for the project is credited to Jane Golden, Sarah Kolker, Dever, Diana Gonzalez, Sy’Ana, Todd Bressi, Lisa Murch, and Phil Asbury.
Entities
Artists
- El Mac
- Miles MacGregor
- Sy’Ana
- Sun Ra
- Lee Morgan
- John Coltrane
- Jane Golden
- Sarah Kolker
- Dever
- Diana Gonzalez
- Todd Bressi
- Lisa Murch
- Phil Asbury
- Keith Garcia
Institutions
- Mural Arts Philadelphia
- City of Philadelphia
- NRED
Locations
- Philadelphia
- United States
- Los Angeles
- 412 North 2nd Street