“Stepsisters and Birds” by senior Sandra Biagal is an acrylic piece that is a unique take on the fairytale aesthetic, portraying the end of Brother Grimm’s version of Cinderella. At the end of the considerably more morbid story, the stepsisters beg for forgiveness, and in response, birds pick their eyes out. The painting employs the lines and washes of color found in traditional fairy tale illustrations. However, the piece differs from a conventional style by making the colors muddier and contrasting them with the red blood, creating a darker feel. In particular, the blood is tastefully placed, subtly building a somber and dark tone without being overwhelmingly gruesome. Additionally, using blue as a background color (which is present in nearly every piece in their arrangement) serves two purposes: representing sadness and innocence (staples to children’s fairy tales). Baigal wrote in the artist statement, “My intention for this body of work is for the audience to empathize with the children who were not able to have their childhood cherished and protected.”
Senior Josie Chong wrote in her artist’s statement that she intended to showcase the complexity and simplicity of nature. She clearly successfully expressed her intent in the piece “River Valley.” At first glance, the piece looks like a simple and calming depiction of a river and mountains. However, upon further look, the work is detailed and complex. Chong created the artwork using a sgraffito tool, meaning it is a collection of scratches in cardboard. Each little line in the artwork had to be individually scratched, showcasing the actual intricacy of the piece. Chong paid great attention to detail, and the pine trees and the hatching at the base of the mountains are particularly impressive. Chong’s depiction of the river, which uses various flowing shapes to encircle each other, is another example of Chong’s phenomenal artistry. The piece does not make it look like static water; instead, the river seems geometric and dynamic. Chong’s use of black contrasting white space is also very effective. The black areas, mainly the mountains and hills, feel simple, while the white regions feel busy. Combining both draws the viewer into the image and creates a feeling of serenity.
Senior Arielle Schmeidler’s self-portrait shows a unique view of her personality and sense of self. Schmeidler portrays herself in shades of purple, using layered fabric to make the piece more visually exciting and detail-oriented. The dark purple used to emulate her hair contrasts the vibrant teal background and the light orange shirt. The quilt format requires excellent patience and creativity, highlighting how Schmeidler is persistent and talented. The heart-shaped pupils in the portrait reveal that she is loving and kind in nature and allude to the artist’s belief that she is generous. Throughout the quilt, there is excellent attention to detail, and Schmeidler skillfully combines colors and layers to create an alluring and earnest complex piece. Throughout history, self-portraits have allowed artists to experiment with different styles and reflect on themselves as individuals. In this self-portrait, the viewer is confronted with their identity and self-perception.
