Grade: 12

Description: This diptych portrays loneliness, withdrawal, and self-reflection amongst lively, social surroundings. The left panel shows a reflective pitcher on a table, and the right panel shows a zoomed-in, distorted reflection of myself in the pitcher. I put the zoomed-in panel on the right so that when viewed from left to right, the piece would be a dramatic enlargement of a busy picture to reveal a hidden component of isolation.

Artist Statement: Most of my art has been made for school art classes, and I have naturally gravitated towards creating pieces including reflective surfaces. So, for my AP Drawing class this year, my inquiry question (the theme all my pieces are based on) is “How can I portray self-image through reflective surfaces?” This has inspired pieces that feature bathroom mirrors, crystal balls, pitchers, and more.

I have created all of these pieces in high school, a time when my identity feels like its constantly changing as I grow from childhood into adulthood. The pieces I have created have helped me explore my own identity, especially its changes as I grow, and how this can be conveyed through the objects around me.

I enjoy using easily blendable mediums, like chalk pastel and oil paint. Since these mediums are easy to alter even long after they have been applied, I am able to achieve a realistic and detailed artistic style by making frequent changes to my artwork. However, I also love to experiment with different types of mark-making. Sometimes I use messy mark-making and other times prefer a more refined look, tailoring my technique to the message I am trying to convey with each specific piece.

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