“Passion” 2021, Pencil Drawing, Self-portrait
“Passion” is an electrifying piece celebrating the impact of emotion and the power of voice. I used a pencil as my medium for this drawing to give myself stark contrasts in my facial expression, highlighting my enthusiasm. I am captured in a moment of pure, unbridled passion, screaming vigilantly after scoring a soccer goal. My focus on the details shows the raw connection between our inner feelings and the strength of our voice. We can infuse our expressions with authentic and gripping energy that has the potential to resonate deeply with others.
Critical Cartoon for school Newspaper magazine “Campus”
Cover Illustration for School Newspaper Magazine “CAMPUS”
“The Creation of A.D.A.M.,” is a Campus (my high school Newspaper magazine) cover that pays homage to the classic painting “The Creation of Adam.” This piece serves as a reflection on the tech-centric world that has shaped much of my life, marking a new renaissance for the intersection of science and art. In this rendition, the iconic image of Adam reaching towards the divine is replaced with a futuristic twist exploring human ingenuity and technological advancements.
“Campus” School Newspaper Magazine cover Digital Art by Procreate
“Neglected” is a clay sculpture based off of the novel Beloved.
“Neglected” is a clay sculpture based on the novel Beloved. This work is inspired by the character Paul D., who had a “tobacco tin can buried in his chest where a red heart used to be. Its lid rusted shut.” He had suffered from his physically and emotionally torturous experiences. I created this piece because, at the time, I suffered a devastating injury that prevented me from playing soccer for months. Instead, I spent my time rotting in a chair or on the couch. With no way to run wild or de-stress, I turned my emotions into clay. This represents the torture I felt from being away from one of my passions.
“Perception of Depth” is a pencil drawing displaying a figure dramatically reaching out in different directions with his arms and feet. This non-vocal form of voice represents the expression one can give through physical movements. The subject’s movement brings a flow of energy and encourages us with his confidence. He sticks his foot out and represents that we can express our voice through movement. We have the power to bridge gaps, transcend boundaries, touch the depths of human understanding, break through the confines of silence, and reach into the depths of perception.
In “Fragmented in Time,” a mixed media piece (a pencil drawing and photo collage), I am shown cutting my hair in a mirror. On the other side of the mirror, an older version of yourself is also engaged in a similar mundane action, yet he is holding a makeup brush and is colored in a vibrant red and is fragmented like shattered glass. The fragmented reflection conveys the passage of time and the complexities of growing older. As we sculpt the inner mosaic of our experiences and wisdom, our external appearance also evolves. This piece alludes to the ever-changing soul, exemplified by the change from a scissor to a brush.
“Key” is a rendition of “Shut Up,” where the painting is mounted on a wall, and the megaphone that my brother held is depicted outside of the painting, resting on a stool. This installation highlights a separation between my brother and his ability to speak with the megaphone. This representation signifies that the megaphone is the “Key” to expression. But why do we need such a tool to express ourselves how we want to? “Key” contemplates being vocal in this modern society where people cannot just speak out loud and expect others to listen. Mediums like social media, broadcasting, and paper publishing are necessary to hear others or be heard, yet it is not easy. Can I merely say what I want?
Shut Up
I used acrylic paint as my medium in the piece “Shut Up” to properly depict the dark reality of expectations. This artwork shows my brother struggling to speak, with tape over his mouth, despite holding a megaphone. His tired and deadened eyes reflect the trauma and emotional toll he has been through. This gripping experience represents the pressure to speak out. The waiting dark crowd behind him weighs expectations and pressure from society onto him. This piece shows the challenges people encounter when they try to find their voice and speak their truth in a world that forces so many expectations.