The Human Experience 2019-2020 Senior Art Show
Art is a universal language to express a connection with the environment, community, and human emotions. This collection of artworks showcases our students’ ability to translate their lived experience into unique, visual expressions. Each image tells a story of resilience, as our students not only reflect on the challenges and triumphs of their life journeys but also the resilience required to persist in the challenges of art-making. What makes up the human experience? We welcome you to be a witness through the lens of each artist.
ABBY BRODERICK The Joys of Childhood, 2020 Digital Photography When taking these photos, what first came to mind for me, was the concept of childhood. These photos were taken between Noon and 2:00pm on a bright and sunny day. When I took these photos, they reminded me of the things that made me happy during my childhood. The flower represents a memory of an activity that I used to do which was picking flowers. The water park represents something that brought me joy during my childhood. However, it is also a symbol of growth because I have grown out of playing at water parks with my friends. It also represents childhood joy in general because every child enjoys hours of spontaneous play and happiness. I captured my cousin, Jonas, riding his bike on the first day that he learned how to do it. This is a part of a kid’s childhood and the total joy of being able to ride your bike on your own after practicing for so long. Finally, I captured my other cousin, Evan, digging in the dirt which is such a simple thing that makes a child smile with joy.
ADAM MANJI Determination, 2020 Graphite on paper I created this self portrait to show my life outside of school. I have a big passion for hockey and hope to pursue it as my career, so I chose to draw myself in my hockey team’s dressing room, which is like my second home. I spend a lot of time before and after games and practices in the arena and specifically, in the arena dressing room. This picture is meant to look as if I was going to play a game afterwards, that is why I have drawn this with my suit on to show my professional demeanor before the game. I really want people to look at my eyes and see how intense and focused they are, because it reflects my mood and personality in that setting when preparing to play. My goal in this drawing was to express a part of my life outside of school and put it into a one point perspective in the background.
ADAM MANJI The Crooked Tree, 2020 Digital Photography
I wanted to create a scene based in nature, which I can relate to. There is a tree near my house which doesn’t stand upright like the other trees. On a gloomy day, this hanging and crooked tree looks a bit tired and a bit weak in comparison to the other trees around it. But, when the sun shines on it at the right time on a sunny day, it looks spectacular. At that moment in time, it stands out from all the other trees. The colour on its branches are harmonious with the ground around it. I waited for that moment for the sun to shine through the bending tree making it brighter and more dramatic. At that moment, this tree looks stronger, more colourful and more alive than the other trees. The sun shining on the tree with sunlight coming through, makes it look more naturally breathtaking, artistic, colourful and illuminated. It stands out from the rest. I used a Canon Powershot SX50 HS. I set it to Scene/Portrait mode and took a few angles until I captured the pose I was looking for. I took several pictures from about 20 feet away to get the most dramatic feel of the sunlight coming through the crooked tree. I stood to the left of the tree to capture its bending pose and to show it in the forefront of the other trees. I tilted my camera upward to ensure to get all the features I was looking for including its height. I made sure to wait until approximately 6 pm as the sun was beginning to slowly set, which created natural shadows throughout the various branches of the tree. I created this photograph to relate how I sometimes feel, which is that I don’t always fit in or stand out with everyone around me. However, if some people see me in a different light or in a certain way, they would see the real me. I look at myself as this tree. If you come close, you can see that I can be colourful and I am strong. I know this tree well as it lives very close to my house.
ALEXIA PETERS The Mystical Afternoon, 2020 Acrylic on canvas My painting is a landscape of a scene taken on the hill looking over West Point Grey Academy. It is an impressionist landscape as it was created with quick brush strokes and dabs of acrylic paint. The mysterious moment in my painting is the sky, because there are delicate brush strokes that create texture in the clouds and a violet-blue sky that is unusual for the afternoon. I used a split-complementary colour scheme of yellow, violet, and blue-green to capture a mystical moment that I experienced, which also feels very serene.
ALEXIA PETERS Human Connections During COVID-19, 2020 Digital Photography
My goal with this series of photographs is to capture moments of connection during COVID-19. The purpose is to show places where social interactions or relationships would usually occur. However due to this surreal moment, which is known as social distancing, people are still finding ways to interact with one another and isolate themselves from others. The photographs were taken in the afternoon using a Canon Rebel T5 camera and using an iPhone SE. When creating this final project, I edited the series using a program called Photos, where I altered the photos to give the images a surreal, vivid, and unusual colorful appearance. I chose to capture moments in areas that I have a connection to. For example, a field where I used to play baseball, Carnarvon park, a park I used to go to as a child. Starbucks is one of the places where some of my friends, and I, gather. Yet, temporarily it seems when people pass by the isolated building with stacked chairs, that those are only memories. I chose a series for this project as pictures tell a thousand words and I wanted to capture moments in a series to represent what is going on around us.
ALEXIS DIAZ Abandoned Court, 2020 Digital Photography I took the pictures for this series in the afternoon at the Eric Hamber Secondary School outdoor basketball court, using my iPhone X. These photographs relate to my life because I love to play basketball. The symbolism of my photography is with social distancing and being detached from people; it results in empty basketball courts that become forgotten. What I want the audience to know about my photography is that it’s surprising to see an empty basketball court because basketball is a sport that brings people from different backgrounds together to play a game they love. I was thinking if the audience could see the combination of nice weather with the sad empty court, then it would bring out emotion in the viewer. With the current situation with COVID-19, people can’t be together with basketball or other sports, but they can still do things independently to practice for the game they love. The message I want the audience to think about is that basketball is something you can’t do in isolation, you need to have communication and a love for the game on and off the court.
AMELIE PAUL Wonder, 2019 ConteĚ on paper It is said that the eyes are the window to the soul. I believe this is why I gravitate towards drawing and painting human faces, in particular, their eyes. In this piece, I drew a woman who looks up at the viewer. This drawing was an exploration in my use of directional lines and shading to capture light. I believe I achieved this sense of wonder, by making the woman look delicate and sculpted with fine lines and details in her collar bone, nose, and lips. As our eye moves over the picture, it rests on her eyes the most, and I want the viewer to wonder what she is thinking about as she looks at us.
AMELIE PAUL The Invitation, 2019 ConteĚ on paper This piece is a continuation of my study of the human face and emotions. I wanted to try a different type of image this time and to explore how I could use directional lines to create the patterns of wrinkles on an older person’s face. Often older people are not shown in art. I really like the result that I achieved, because the hands of the old man frame his face and cause us to stare at the details of the face. I want people to really study and explore the lines and creases, because we are surrounded by pictures of young people in the media and older people are often forgotten. In this piece, I drew an old man holding his face inviting us to stare at him. I want the viewers to study the drawings and details and remember his face.
AMELIE PAUL Lack of Connection, 2019 Digital Photography These photos were taken to demonstrate that people confuse social media for a true human connection. I took photos of groups of people together in the community. Each photo shows one person on their phone. They do not see the beauty around them. Most people are very busy, but once they get together they can not put down their phones. Friends and family are important to be with because they can help and support you. When people hang out together, in French, they call it “tête a tête” not “tête a phone.” When you are on your phone, you block out the world around. Social media is a made-up world, it is best to live in the real world. Real human connection is much stronger than the one you have with technology. Do not be afraid to connect with people around you, and put the phone away.
AMY CHAN Getaway, 2020 Graphite and watercolour on paper I wanted to show in my portrait that I have a passion for art that has lasted throughout the years. If you look in the background you will see two paintings on the wall that have personal symbolism. The painting of the hummingbird represents the spirit of a family member who passed away. The dragonfly painting represents my experience of coming to Fraser at age 6 and the encouragement of my art teacher who helped me see that I was able to make better art than I thought I could. The expression on my face is neutral and calm because that is how I feel when I create art. I used shading and contrast in my blacks and whites to make the details stand out. I tried to make my face to be the focus of the artwork and the background to be the secondary area of focus. The title of my piece is called “Getaway� because whenever I feel frustrated or sad, I draw in my sketchbook and it helps me to feel relaxed and to forget my troubles for a while.
AMY CHAN Camp Malibu, 2020 Watercolour on paper This is a painting of Camp Malibu, a place that holds a personal significance to me. The feeling my image evokes is the calmness and relaxation when you are surrounded by nature. Camp Malibu reminds me of the friendships I made through being at camp and how these bonds grow throughout the school year. Going to Camp Malibu is like an extra vacation but with friends. It is a time to forget about stress and anxiety through the power of nature, surrounded by trees and friends.
AMY CHAN 3, 2, 1 Smile..., 2019 Digital Photography I got inspiration from a website, Pinterest. I asked seven people including myself to be a part of my series of photos. Amelie, Lucille, Dixie, Ashley, Riley, Jack and Miss. Gilgan. It took me 2 classes to photograph the entire series. It took a couple of times to get the lighting right so I didn’t create shadows. I used a Canon Rebel T5 camera and used a different type of lens, called a prime lens, which helped make a cleaner image. This is a connection to my everyday life, which means I feel these emotions everyday. I can be confused at times, or I’m happy when I see my friends. I want you to look at the emojis behind my models and guess what they say about each of them. The message behind this photograph is showing that not everyone has the same emotion and they change whenever.
ANNIKA STENHOUSE Beauty from Pain, 2019 Colour pencil and watercolour pencil on paper I want this picture to represent that there is beauty from pain. I showed this by creating sharp thorns near an eye. The beautiful part in the rose because it is the most colourful and eyecatching part. Eyes have become a personal symbol for me because they are my favourite thing to draw and they are the most expressive part of the human face. Also, when I was looking through old family photos for inspiration I realized that vision was one of the biggest challenges and pains of my life and I wanted to incorporate it into my artwork’s message. To create this piece, I worked with blending the pencil crayon on the iris and using watercolour pencil crayons blend around the eye, creating skin. I had to focus on making contrast with the shading where the eyelashes hang over the eye, to add realism.
ANNIKA STENHOUSE Beautiful Chaos, 2020 Digital Photography The photograph was taken using my iPhone XS, with a 4K camera. I scattered the painting supplies all around me, just like I would while creating my art. Positioned under the skylight to get an even lighting for the photograph, I used the natural filter from the glass to balance the light. My life is beautiful, but it can be messy at times. I want the audience to see that chaos can be transformed into a masterpiece. Sometimes the best creativity can come from the biggest disasters. Art is a form people use to express themselves, and it brings them together. Colourful expression symbolizes our deeper emotions.
ARYELAH CHAYA SIMON Reflection, 2020 Graphite and colour pencil on paper This piece was conceptualized at a time in my life when I was struggling with the reflection I saw staring back at me. I was caught between two versions of myself, both linked by my relationship with the mirror. The red hands symbolize how we use our hands to point out the flaws that we see in our bodies. However, those same hands are what we use to try to cover up our insecurities that have been created by ourselves, stereotypes in society, or by another person’s words or actions. The butterfly resting on my shoulder signifies both the little voice in my head and the voices of loved ones who are trying to remind me that life is a journey and to trust in the process. More than anything, I wanted to create a feeling of unity through this piece and the shared awareness of the broken relationship that many people in society experience with the mirror.
ARYELAH CHAYA SIMON Never Really Alone, 2020 Digital Photography
When creating this piece, I had one very simple ambition in mind, and that was to show that despite feeling isolated, and not being physically together during this time, we are Never Really Alone. During the first weeks of social distancing, I was utterly miserable. I felt extraordinarily empty, and like everyone and everything I loved had fallen off the face of the earth. It was not until I began using FaceTime and Zoom with loved ones, that I began to feel whole again, and I realized that in this day and age, it is kind of impossible to be alone. Although, you may be the only one physically in the room, the minute that you call up your friend or family member, and you hear their voice, it is like they are right there next to you. Maintaining human connection during this surreal time, one that is filled with so much stress and uncertainty, is essential for mental health; it allows us, as humans, to keep going by deriving hope and energy from one another. It is also meaningful for us to see that we are not the only one experiencing these emotions. To achieve this collage of photographs, I had family and friends simultaneously FaceTime on the electronic devices that I have at my house. I used a variety of iPhones, iPads, and laptops, and I then set up all of the devices in an aesthetically pleasing way. I took a series of photographs using my Canon Rebel T6 with a 50mm prime lens, and when that did not go as I would have liked it to, I also individually photographed each person. I then photoshopped all the photos together to make a collage, featuring one group shot in the middle that is surrounded by close up shots so, you can better see the emotions people are portraying. Through the series of photographs, I wanted to portray what I feel are the eight most common emotions people have been experiencing through this time. The eight photographs depict the emotions of sadness, disappointment, stress, boredom, peace, love, happiness, and gratitude. If there is one positive that has come out of the coronavirus pandemic, it is that it has restored the importance of talking on the phone and through FaceTime. Coronavirus has also shown us how much we truly depend on seeing, talking, and being together with those who make us feel our best!
ASHLEY VAN HALST The Colour of Connection, 2019 Digital Photography When creating these photos I wanted to show that human connection can add colour to your life. I also wanted to show that without your connections with other humans your world seems sad and bleak or without colour. In short, humans need other humans to make them happy. I created these photos by getting my friends to model for me in colourful clothes. I chose poses that highlighted the points that they were connecting at. Then I brought the photos into Photoshop and made a copy of that photo on another layer, but I made it black and white. After I had both photos I added something called a layer mask which let me take away some black and white parts from the photo to show the colour. After I had coloured in completely one of my models I needed to get the effect of the colour bleeding onto the other one through human connection. To do this I took away the black and white parts of the photo that showed my black and white model was touching the coloured model. This created the effect that the colour was coming onto my black and white model through touch. Finally I wanted to share the full message behind this photo. As I said earlier humans need other humans to be happy. Without other people we can feel isolated and alone, it can feel like there will never be any colour in your life. Then you meet friends or just other people that you really connect with and suddenly it feels like colour has returned to your life. You feel happy and loved and everything feels and looks better. I know that there have been times in my life where I feel like everything is sad and there will never be colour in it again but the simple act of connecting with other people will always bring colour back into my life again. This is why it was so important for me to show this in my photo, to really show that the benefits of making new friends and new connections should never be undervalued.
AUDREY AGULNIK Locations, 2020 Graphite and collage on paper My self-portrait project started as a process-driven piece but gradually turned into a piece with meaning. I started off by using drawing pencils as I interpreted the teacher’s specific direction. After feeling unsatisfied with the appearance of only pencil, I decided to add collage, one of my favourite mediums at this time. I used assorted maps and images from Smithsonian and National Geographic magazines. Once I had my desired look with the combination between pencil and collage, I went in with fine detail and added creases to clothing with a paint pen. I believe that my way of producing art really shines through in this piece because it shows my sporadic ideas and impulsive decisions. That is why I believe this self-portrait accurately describes me.
AVA MARTIN The girl, the chip bag, and COVID-19, 2020 Digital Photography COVID-19 is a world wide pandemic that is currently happening. People are being told to stay away from each other, because the virus is such a fast and easy thing to spread. However, we have been told if we are going into public, it is a good idea to stay two metres apart from one another. The image I have developed is a demonstration of social distancing during this time. Not only does this image demonstrate social distancing, it is also proof that we are able to go outside and enjoy ourselves during this time. I had this idea in my head of having one model demonstrate social distancing, so I called on one of my closest and oldest friends to be the model!
BROOKLYN VENIER Personal Symbols, 2019 Acrylic on foam core My personal symbols are variations of questions about why time moves fast but also slow, and why things happen within time. My symbols represent how I feel about how quickly time is passing. This is something I’ve realized with graduating this year. In the image of the clock that is dripping through the fingers holding it, the ‘5’ represents that, when I made this piece, there were only five months left until 2020. It shows that you cannot really hold onto time. For my other symbol, I chose to take a piece of foam core and paint the word ‘why’ on it. I cut off the end of the word to show that the question is incomplete. I want to leave the viewer wondering about the piece and finishing the question off in their own mind. My third symbol is a separate piece of foam core with a question mark painted on it. I wanted the viewer to think deeper about how such a simple symbol can hold so much power into thinking into the unknown.
BROOKLYN VENIER Fairytale, 2020 Acrylic, collage, and graphite on found object In this art piece, I chose to use three books as my canvas. My hope for the piece was to project a 3D story coming out of the book to bring it to life. I chose to put the characters that you would find in a classic fairytale on the front and back of the books. I chose to symbolize a “Happy ending” with pages of the book exposed within the painted heart and two people kissing in the corner to infer a romance. My piece brings to life the human expectation that everyone’s story should end with a happily ever after.
CAMERON HARE Life’s Art, 2020 Graphite on paper My goal for my self-portrait project was to produce an art piece that resembled my identity, interests, and future. The natural world and gardening is where I truly love spending my time. To express my future, I drew an empty greenhouse that represents the specific area of interest that I have decided to study next year. The emptiness in the greenhouse displays that my mind hasn’t decided what I want to grow or where. My face is also partially made of stones, showing that when I’m lost in thought about my future plans, I can appear zoned-out or stone cold. The salmon, which is being wrapped in grape vines, symbolizes that in the future I want to incorporate fresh water fish or migratory fish in a greenhouse design to create a selfsustaining greenhouse. Before creating this piece of art, I didn’t think that art in general meant something to me. I realize now that almost all the things I like to do have an aspect of art in them, and that’s why I called this piece, “Life’s Art.”
CHARLES HARKEY Untitled, 2019 Digital Photography I took these photos randomly, and I want the audience to see what these people are doing. Some are playing sports, or playing in the snow, or walking their dogs. This relates to my life because I have a dog and I love sports and playing in the snow sometimes. The lighting on the photos is perfect, especially the one with the lady and her dog going for a walk. I did not ask if I could take a photo of her, I took it on my own. I want the audience to see what people do on a random day like a snow day. You can see people out in the snow building forts and having their dogs run around and having a good time.
DIXIE WORLAND Together We Are Atlas, 2019 Digital Photography The planet is dying. Atlas has dropped us. And we are falling. Together we have to stand, and save the world. Everyone has to work to rebuild the planet from the torment we have caused together. We are all equal, and need to work just as hard as everyone else to help our planet. Pick up the piece of litter, it may not be your trash but it’s your planet. Cleaning our planet may be a big job, but together we can build our way to a greener future. I got people from my school who are different races and ages to be in this picture, to help show the team effort it will take from everyone. This project was put together in three days from idea to whole artist statement written out. Proving that with determination we can do it. The planet may be heavy but together, we are Atlas.
ELLIE EHLING Dreaming of Reality, 2020 Graphite and collage on paper In this self-portrait, I wanted to explore shading and perspective and how it creates the realism of objects. When beginning my portrait, I made sure to cautiously observe the shapes of my face, so that the proportions would look as realistic as possible. I also made an effort to create contrast between the different shades of my face and the background. While I enjoyed these technical challenges, this piece also has a very personal meaning. The background I chose and the expression on my face, relate to what I want to do in the future. My dream is to become a marine biologist and the bright smile on my face portrays how much I enjoy marine life and am passionate about protecting it. The water tanks in the background are from the Vancouver Aquarium, a place where I have been fortunate enough to work and call my second home.
EMIL HOWSON-LYONS Changes, 2020 Graphite on paper This self-portrait is about my mixed emotions of leaving behind my legacy at Fraser Academy and entering university. The background of my drawing is of Fraser Academy’s intersection at Vine Street and West Broadway. I’m standing in the intersection and my facial expression is neutral, showing both the familiarity of being in the same environment since 2013 and also uncertainty about going to a new school in the fall. Being here for seven years, I know this intersection very well, however I wanted this picture to also show that I feel prepared to begin the next chapter in my life.
EMIL HOWSON-LYONS Multitasking with Mum, 2020 Digital Photography What is multitasking? Why is it such a common thing in the COVID-19 Pandemic? Multitasking happens to be a problem, not just for the front line workers trying to save lives. It also happens to the children of these front line workers like myself. After finishing my Zoom classes for the day, I walk my dog around the park, make sure he gets his proper walk, has been fed and has a clean water bowl. Sometimes, I also walk over to my grandma’s retirement home to check on her, making sure she’s okay. Being elderly during a pandemic seems very isolating, especially for my grandma, who is normally very socially active. Following walking my dog, I work on some homework and begin cooking dinner with my sister. There isn’t anything else we can do. I’m going to be honest, though, during the pandemic, I have created a perfect recipe for waffles, so the multitasking goes into effect again, making my waffle recipe.
FRANK CARMICHAEL The Light, 2020 Graphite on paper In this art piece my goal was to create a realistic-looking environment through my use of tonal shading. I’ve shown myself standing in a tunnel. A tunnel can represent so many things, it’s hard to pick one. To me, the tunnel symbolizes uncertainty. The tunnel casts harsh shadows making it hard to see what is ahead. At the end of the tunnel, it is equally as hard to see because of the blinding light. I think that the message of the portrait is- it’s important to keep moving forward even if the future is uncertain.
HALLE PHEONIX Spreading Her Fire, 2019 Acrylic on paper I recognized a recurring symbol of drawing dresses in my work, and I adapted this symbol of my interest in fashion to have a message about our human impact on nature. I showed this by making the dress out of flames, and showed a woman wearing a dress walking into the forest, spreading her fire. The trees are a personal symbol because of my experiences in BC forests during the Odyssey outdoor education program. The dark skies in the picture represents my emotions towards the local ecosystem in BC and how the forests are in greater danger of fires during the summer season, because of climate change and human impact. I wanted to express how fashion can be integrated into the environmental movement and used for personal expression to show my message.
HALLE PHEONIX Glasgow, 2020 Acrylic, watercolour, and graphite on paper This piece depicts a fond memory of a place that is significant to my family. I used black and white on the inside to show a boring feeling; as if I'm in a place that has become common and disinteresting. I also wanted the black and white interior to contrast the colourful background, to show that there is adventure outside in a new and exciting environment. When reflecting on this memory and creating this piece, I wanted to express the feeling of being connected to a place although I had never actually been there before. I want to leave the viewer feeling a sense of excitement by traveling to new places and the memories it can leave you with.
JACK POTTINGER Sea, 2019 Digital Photography These three photos represent people connecting with others in order to keep everyone safe. If it weren’t for the lighthouse, boats might run aground on the rocks below, especially in rough water or poor visibility. If the boats were to run aground it could create problems for both the people on board, the boat and nature. One part of the human experience is helping others in crisis situations, such as, when a boat is sinking or runs aground. People have learned to communicate with each other beyond using words, such as, how the lighthouse shines its light to reveal dangerous situations. I have been on the water since I was a kid and have had some experience with when the sea gets rough. Thankfully there have only been a few times when someone has needed to call for a tow while I was with them. Sometimes people need a light in the darkness, or a path through difficult times.
JANNA WATT Personal Symbols, 2019 Linocut and acrylic on paper The personal symbols that I have drawn are a garden gnome, mouse, and cat. I chose the garden gnome to represent a memory of gardening with my mom when I was fifteen. The mouse represents that I am quiet. The cat is to represent that I am asocial, because cats are often by themselves and like to hide. I made these pieces by first drawing the pictures in my sketchbook, and then tracing them onto tracing paper. I then sandwiched another paper between my tracing paper and an ink plate and traced the lines which caused the ink to transfer onto the brown paper. This process is called monotype. After this, I chose colours to paint in the background of each piece.
JUSTIN PALMER February, 2020 Graphite and colour pencil on paper In this piece I set out to show how deadlines can affect the creative process. I drew myself in my workspace, a place where I can usually be found if I’m not playing video games or at school. I tried a crosshatch style of shading to create a feeling of instability and unease that is further emphasized by the message on the computer monitor in the drawing. Simultaneously, I decided to use a white pencil crayon to highlight and guide the viewer’s eye through the piece. The viewer notices myself first, then the time of day, and finally the scattered and discarded drafts littering the floor. I’ve titled this piece February as that was my university portfolio submission deadline.
JUSTIN PALMER Intimidation, 2020 Watercolour on paper When creating this piece I tried to evoke a sense of intimidation and mystery by creating a towering rock formation. I used a cross composition and monochrome greens and blues contrasted by red washes that create a sense of mystery and tension. I tried to manipulate the clouds in a way that pointed the viewer to the focal point of the rock formation. I also added a red glaze over the rock face to make it stand out from the rest of the scene. I was inspired by Lauren Harris’ use of shapes and shading in landscapes. Another artist that inspired me was Ross Tran, whose work on landscapes and concept art heavily inspired the core idea of this piece as well.
LUCILLE SHAW Christmas Traditions, 2019 Digital Photography I took this photo after school with a Canon Rebel T5 camera. The subject of the photo is my sister passing a Christmas ornament to my other sister and then she is putting the ornament on the Christmas tree. This photo relates to my life because during Christmas our family always decorates the tree together and it makes me really happy because we are always together. The symbolism in this photo is a connection with others because my sister is helping my other sister to decorate the tree together and they are bonding together while they do it. When I was taking this photo I was thinking about how in the movies you see families decorating the Christmas tree and I wanted to reenact that. I want the audience to think about how you should be with your family and loved ones over the holidays and spend time with them. People should get off their devices and just relax with your family and be kind to them.
MICHAEL ZAPPACOSTA Where We Droppin Bois, 2020 Digital Photography I took this picture in a third person perspective and I used an iPhone 8 camera. This photograph shows the connections that people can have to other people while staying at home. This connects to my life because it is how I stay connected with my friends during this pandemic. I want people to think about how video games can be a way of staying connected with your friends and doing activities with them while at home. I don’t see it as a replacement for real life interaction but perhaps a temporary one.
NICHOLAS BRANCO The Sunset of the Soul, 2019 Digital Photography This photo was taken with an iPhone 8+ at Ambleside. This photo inspires me because I really enjoy taking pictures of sunsets. Through our sense of vision, we are able to experience the setting sun and the vibrant colours that fill the sky. People from around the world enjoy looking at sunsets because they are nature’s way of painting the sky. Sunsets are like the poetry of photography, they leave the viewer full of emotions.
PRESTON BROOKS VanDusen Garden Light Show, 2019 Digital Photography I chose the VanDusen Gardens, to remind me of the times I went to Disneyland, California. I remember when I was at the theme park there was this event called the World of Colour. The water show was exciting and nice, with bright lights. There would be animals in the show. Disney would make the lights turn into an animal. At the VanDusen Gardens there was a bird that was filled with coloured lights around the bird. The detail of the lights made a bird with bright green lights, as well with, white and pink. The audience would see the photos as one of these events to be a cool and nice experience to go visit sometime. I’ve only presented a few photos of what VanDusen Gardens looks like. The gardens have so much to view and to spend time with the people you would want to tour around the huge garden with. One of the pictures I took was a picture of these pink mixed with red lights, the lights were inside reusable plastic water bottles. The bottles were cut up into a cone size shape. The angle of the shot I took was a low perspective shot. I chose to focus on depth of field for my pictures. Depth of field is when a part of the photo is blurry and the rest of the picture is clear. The picture was more blurry at the front.
RENEE WITHERS When the Rains Starts to Pour, 2020 Graphite and collage on paper I created this self-portrait to explore shading techniques and how I could create realistic depth. I tried to use my shading to create the feeling of depth in my face, and try to create some emotion. I have included photos of my friends, because my friends are one of the most important things to me. They make me feel comfortable and relaxed and that is why I chose to make myself look happy or relaxed.
RILEY RYDER Nothing, Anything, Everything, 2020 Graphite on paper With this project I was given the opportunity to explore depth and proportions in a two dimensional setting through a pencil sketch. As the process went on it became more clear what I wanted this piece to be. I chose my piano room because this is the space where I am able to express myself boundlessly. I drew my face without expression to show how the mind can flourish and create everything or anything within such a simple space. My overall goal with this portrait is to show the power and beauty of the less complicated things. So when it comes to the emotion depicted in my drawing it could express nothing, anything, or everything.
RILEY RYDER Reaching Out, 2019 Digital Photography I took this photo to demonstrate how powerful it can be to simply reach out to one another and be there. Something so simple can make such a big difference in someone’s life. I feel as though people are communicating less around us, and people are becoming more lonely. I hope that this image shows how powerful human connection is when someone is lonely. I want this to be a reminder that the simple act of telling someone you care, or being there for them in any way can save a life and be all someone needs to know they are not alone.
SIMON SMITH Routine, 2020 Graphite on paper This self-portrait artwork began as an exploration of one-point perspective drawing. I ended up paying a lot of attention to my use of shading to make the drawing look three dimensional. I decided to use the interior of a skytrain as my background because I frequently use public transport to get around. My facial expression is neutral and I’m listening to music through my headphones, the way I usually do throughout the day. I started this portrait before COVID-19 and did not intend to have meaning behind the empty train, however people who have lived through this pandemic might find another meaning in my work about the new reality we find ourselves living in.
SIMON SMITH Down the Rabbit Hole, 2020 Charcoal, graphite, and collage on paper This piece represents my experience going to school from grade 1 to 12. Each of the hours on the clock represent the grades of school. It shows the times I relish and those I wish to forget or change, as well as the times I simply can not recall very well. On one side of the clock, there is a fracture that separates the dark from the light. Within the fracture there are some words that describe the feelings that are a constant and I cannot forget.
SOPHIE LIVINGSTON Simple Happiness, 2020 Graphite on paper The purpose of my self-portrait is to represent a clear picture of my perspective on contentment. Specifically, the feeling of finding contentment in doing what we love. For example, I always find contentment in putting on my headphones, blocking out all of life’s chaos, and sketching away to the sound of my favourite music. In this drawing, I made sure not to shy away from using dark shades, in order to be sure that every angle of this portrait stands out, especially the blissfully content smile on my face as I draw. When people look at this piece I want them to see a clear picture of what contentment looks like and inspire them to find it in their own way. Happiness doesn’t have to be complicated, in fact it can be quite simple.
TATIANA FELLENIUS My Worst Nightmare, 2020 Acrylic on canvas My painting is of a hand holding an ice cream cone in front of a mountain. The visual focus is the ice cream cone because there is nothing around it and it has a different texture than the rest of the painting. I used a triadic colour scheme of yellow-orange, red-violet, and bluegreen. At first I wanted those colours to express a happy and calm feeling, but it changed as I was working on it. This painting taps into some of my fears because I have a hard time with the colours mixing and becoming muddy and brown, and also the melting texture of the ice cream is something that I find disturbing. This picture was initially of a happy moment but it turned into my worst nightmare.
TATIANA FELLENIUS Supporting Front Line Workers, 2020 Digital Photography Using a Canon Rebel T5, I took this picture at 7:00pm during the appreciation of health care workers. I wanted to capture this event in the moment so I focused on candid photography that is not staged. During the coronavirus outbreak, clapping pans together to support the front line workers, along with the isolation of the subject, symbolizes the support we can show while social distancing during the pandemic. I want the audience to think about our connection to humans and the different ways to connect now that we need to self-isolate. If we don’t practice social distancing, the pandemic will last longer and we will not be able to see friends and family, a human connection we may have taken for granted in the past.
“Art is an adventure into an unknown world, which can be explored only by those willing to take risks.” -Mark Rothko
Thank you to all of the artists for your sincere passion, perseverance and gifts of creativity. With continued resilience, your unique forms of expression will serve as inspiration for others. As you move forward in your lives, remember to share your perspective with the world, and together we will build a beautiful future. Be kind to yourself, your friends and your family and you will find doors open for you along your path.
Ms. Brazeau, Ms. Gilgan & Ms. Schreyer Senior Visual Arts and Photography Teachers