CPS All-City Visual Arts Exhibitions

Teacher: Kathryn McNulty
Grade: 12
Materials: Acrylic on canvas; fake moss; fake flower
Dimensions: 12×18

Artist Statement:

This piece depicts a vulnerable moment in my journey toward healing and self-acceptance. The image of myself crying, with a flower in my hair, represents the raw, unfiltered emotions of pain and sorrow that I have experienced. The self-harm scars on my body are contrasted by the flowers growing from them, symbolizing how even the darkest parts of myself have the potential to transform into something beautiful. Both of us are naked, representing our vulnerability and the rawness of our emotions. In the background, a forest setting mirrors the complexity of our internal landscapes, while the lotus flower floating in a river signifies rebirth and resilience. The rainbow sunset serves as a metaphor for the multifaceted nature of emotions—anger, sadness, happiness, and peace—that once felt overwhelming. When viewed as a whole, however, these emotions have merged into something harmonious and beautiful.