Mercy High School Visual Art Show, May 2021

Mercy High School Annual Art Show Spring 2021

[uncov Table of Photography Gilded by Kathryn B. ’22 Roots Uncovered by Kathryn B. ’22 Revealed Through Water by Nicole V. ’22 Normal Girl by Azana W. ’21 Charcoal Onward by Arryn B. ’22 Only the Good Remains by Alice C. ’22 Gouache ’Til Death Do Us Part by Sarah B. ’22 Graphite and Watercolor Eye-opening by Mia C. ’24 Doors to Fantasy by Sophia T. ’22

vered] Contents Acrylic No Justice, No Peace by Sarah B. ’22 Lobelia by Emma C. ’22 Serenity In Seclusion by Emma C. ’22 More than the Stars by Natalie C. ’24 Faces Fluttering by Elisa S. ’24 Pandora’s Box by Elisa S. ’24 Untitled by Jane S. ’24 Calm Ocean Day by Sophia T. ’22 Graphite and Acrylic Salem Witch by Ali E. ’24 Ink 3/4 Cherries by Arryn B. ’22 Gunita by Arryn B. ’22 Power of Long by Alice C. ’22

Gilded Photography Kathryn B. ’22

Kathryn’s piece, Gilded , explores how beauty covers or obscures one’s world view and perspective. Since people tend to focus on things that are pleasant, we must focus to uncover other necessary things.

Kathryn’s work explores this dichotomy through experimentation with angle and focus.

“Even though we focus on the things that are pleasant for us, we still have to hone in on other necessary things.”

—Kathryn B. ’22

Roots Uncovered Photography Kathryn B. ’22

Kathryn’s photography depicts exposed roots belonging to a tree behind her house.

Experimenting with angle, Kathryn’s intention was to uncover something special while exploring a stream bed.

Revealed Through Water Photography Nicole V. ’22

While visiting Shenandoah National Park, Nicole photographed Dark Hollow Falls on a cloudy day to capture the movement of the water and a calm and relaxing feeling she experienced.

“The movement of the water is the focal element of this piece, emphasizing the natural elements around the waterfall that would have been different without the overcast sky.”

—Nicole V. ’22

Normal Girl Photography Azana W. ’21

Azana’s digital photography piece, inspired by Colette Bernard (NYC-based performance artist and sculptor), SZA, and Black girls and women everywhere, allowed her to be vulnerable and let people into her world. She hopes her piece will invoke solidarity amongst other Black women, while igniting a conversation about how Black women are treated and how we can improve, creating a more inclusive society.

“My photography piece is a diptych entitled Normal Girl.

This piece is about Black girls not being awarded the right to be sensitive or vulnerable. I chose to fill my photos with pink because it is a recurring symbol for girlhood. The aspect of glitter in my photos represents the ‘perfect’ face Black girls have to present to be accepted in society.”

—Azana W. ’21

Onward Charcoal Arryn B. ’22

Using charcoal as a medium allowed Arryn to feel comfortable while depicting facial features and structures in this work. While working on her AP Art portfolio, Arryn has explored the question, “what fulfills life?” As the daughter of an immigrant, Arryn’s work demonstrates her father’s greatest wishes for his children and what he yearns for in the future— graduation for his children after working so hard—while uncovering the complex dreams and beliefs of immigrant parents that many cannot understand.

“This piece investigates the basic question: ‘what fulfills life?’ and depicts my dad’s response to this inquiry. It demonstrates what he yearns for the future—graduation for his children after working so hard.”

—Arryn B. ’22

Only the Good Remains Charcoal Alice C. ’22

Focusing on realism, Alice’s created her piece with charcoal hoping to inspire collective change in our society.

“This drawing shows the kind smile of a Chinese grandma dressed in winter clothing. It communicates two messages: one, it demonstrates the permanence of goodness that not even age and time can take away. Two, it responds to the rising AAPI hate in the U.S. It is often easy to be overwhelmed by negative emotions, but we need to uncover kindness.”

—Alice C. ’22

’Til Death Do Us Part

Gouache Sarah B. ’22

Sarah’s piece explores the relationship humans have with the earth and nature if things were reversed. Using muted tones to depict planets in our solar system in an “eternal sleep” ignoring everything around them, representing how humans are harming our planet. As we continue to ignore climate change, what happens if we damage the earth to a point of no return?

“Exploring my sub-theme ‘Wake Up’ allows us to realize that what we are doing has serious consequences, and if we do not care for our planet, it will not care for us.”

—Sarah B. ’22

Eye-opening Graphite and Watercolor Mia C. ’24

Utilizing graphite for the eye and watercolor for the tear and deep red border, Mia explored different media to raise awareness of social justice issues.

“Eye-opening explores how crazy the world can be and when we uncover our eyes, we become aware of injustices and just want to cry.”

—Mia C. ’24

Doors to Fantasy Graphite and Watercolor Sophia T. ’22

As an avid reader, Sophia couldn’t resist exploring graphite and watercolor to transport us to the worlds of famous stories such as Alice in Wonderland, The Wizard of Oz, Harry Potter, and Percy Jackson.

“I wanted this drawing to look like it could be in the pages of a children’s book. The doors in this piece combined with the idea of a room of doors are inspired from iconic stories. Stories and fables uncover a new reality for each of us.”

—Sophia T. ’22

No Justice, No Peace Acrylic Sarah B. ’22

Through impasto painting techniques, Sarah was able to explore using many layers of paint to create texture and represent different skin tones. This piece was inspired by last year’s events surrounding George Floyd and Black Lives Matter, which is evident through the title.

Reflecting on the discrimination and police brutality, Sarah hopes to be heard, to inspire others to share their voices, and to see change in the continued fight against racism.

“Reflecting on discrimination and police brutality, I hope to be heard, inspire others to share their voices, and to see change in the continued fight against racism.”

—Sarah B. ’22

Lobelia Acrylic Emma C. ’22

Inspired by a new batch of newly-bloomed flowers, these flowers caught Emma’s eye and represent the blossoming of spring after winter’s oppression.

Serenity in Seculsion Acrylic Emma C. ’22

Whenever she previously thought of her future, a cottage like this one always manifested for Emma. Her piece explores the idea of comfort and safety while in seclusion.

“This piece explores some of my hidden desires—to remain independent and free.”

—Emma C. ’22

More than the Stars Acrylic Natalie C. ’24

When reflecting on a dream she had, Natalie explored the subtheme of fables vs. reality in her piece, illustrating how the stars can provide more light if only we just uncover their potential.

“In a dream I had, the stars were so bright that they illuminated the outline of the planets. All of the lights in the world were off and until then, no one knew how much was really out there.”

—Natalie C. ’24

Big Brother Acrylic Grace G. ’22

Using acrylic as her chosen medium, Grace’s piece illustrates the care people share for one another. Additionally, her work explores the difficulty mental illness and the associated impact on interpersonal relationships.

“Someone is always watching over you, but eventually that balloon might pop. People lift you up and down, and you might not always have someone.”

—Grace G. ’22

White Elephant Acrylic Grace G. ’22

Grace’s piece White Elephant utilizes lemons portraying disappointment and bitterness.

Traditionally, the term “white elephant” refers to something useless or troublesome. At the center of the piece are lips sewn together to represent silence.

How does someone’s disappointment in someone else impact interpersonal relationships?

“When someone is disappointed in you, it makes you feel like an outcast. What does it feel like to be the ‘white elephant’?”

—Grace G. ’22

Faces Fluttering Acrylic Elisa S. ’24

Within the wings of the butterfly, concealed faces of many shapes and sizes are featured. Through the use of color, highlights, and shadows, the segments of the butterfly flow together logically, allowing the viewer to extrapolate their own meaning.

“This piece incorporates organic shapes to show movement, and the directions and expressions on each face or segment of the butterfly can be viewed differently based on one’s perception of the work.”

—Elisa S. ’24

Pandora’s Box Acrylic on wooden box Elisa S. ’24

Taking her initial inspiration from Greek mythology, Elisa’s piece explores that things might not always be what they seem. What can be uncovered if we just look within? Inside this box, you uncover something positive: the beauty of the life cycle and transformation of a caterpillar into a butterfly.

Untitled

Acrylic on wooden box Jane S. ’24 Focusing on simplicity of design, Jane’s piece illustrates the natural beauty that we find around us through color and texture.

“The box was purposefully kept simple so that anything being stored inside will be hidden neatly. Even when it is open, the simplicity keeps things from looking cluttered, revealing what you wish to uncover.”

—Jane S. ’24

Calm Ocean Day Acrylic Sophia T. ’22

Inspired by YouTube painter Serenity Art, Sophia interpreted this year’s theme of Uncovered as one’s core memories, personality, and connections with others, especially her family.

“I thought of my core memories and aspects of my life. The beach and the ocean have always been symbolic of family and childhood memories for me.”

—Sophia T. ’22

Untitled

Acrylic on wooden box Jane S. ’24 Focusing on simplicity of design, Jane’s piece illustrates the natural beauty that we find around us through color and texture.

“The box was purposefully kept simple so that anything being stored inside will be hidden neatly. Even when it is open, the simplicity keeps things from looking cluttered, revealing what you wish to uncover.”

—Jane S. ’24

Salem Witch Graphite and Acrylic Ali E. ’24

Pulling inspiration from the Salem Witch Trials, Ali utilized graphite to depict a woman suspected to be a witch and acrylic paint for the background. Historically, a crooked nose and a beauty mark near the mouth indicated that a women was a witch. How do our judgments of others impact reality?

“She fits into my sub-theme of Tales from Reality because the people of Salem were carrying out very real acts based on an idea of what they thought witches were.”

—Ali E. ’24

3/4 Cherries Ink Arryn B. ’22

While continuing to focus on her AP Art portfolio, Arryn considered the life cycle of a cherry blossom. After discussing her question “what fulfills life?” with a friend, Arryn drew inspiration from the answer she received; the littlest things and nature. Combining these two ideas, Arryn’s work focuses on a not-so-popular stage of the cherry blossom life cycle just before petals and leaves form.

Gunita Ink Arryn B. ’22

Arryn’s piece Gunita is one of her responses to her AP Art portfolio exploration. For her, “what fulfills life?” centers on memories and relationships with her family. The title of her piece means memory in Tagalog.

Power of Long Ink Alice C. ’22

This piece depicts a “long”, which refers to a dragon that fearlessly emerges from a thunderstorm in Chinese culture, symbolizing strength and good luck. Despite the ongoing storm of life around us, Alice illustrates one’s source of inner strength that can come from family and friends, and hopes that you uncover “long” or let it find its way to you.

National Art Honor Society Induction The National Art Honor Society inspires and recognizes students who show interest and outstanding ability in art. This honor society requires members to attain the highest standards in art scholarship, character, and service, while bringing art education to the attention of the school community.

Mercy High School would like to congratulate this year’s new inductees.

Sarah B. ’22 Shannon B. ’23 Amia D. ’22 Grace G. ’22 Cassandra G. ’24 Sophia T. ’22 Cecily T. ’22 Azana W. ’21

National Art Honor Society Pledge I will in my life, to the best of my ability, through my talents in art, help to create a more beautiful world for myself, humankind, and all living things.

We, the community of Mercy High School Baltimore, are a private Catholic, college preparatory school for young women of diverse backgrounds from across central Maryland. Sponsored by the Sisters of Mercy, we provide a rigorous education marked by academic excellence and personal attention. Here, students learn to communicate ideas and express themselves confidently, both individually and in collaboration with others. Mercy creates an environment where young women form habits of lifelong inquiry, critical thinking and courageous action in a global society. In the tradition of Catherine McAuley, the founder of the Sisters of Mercy, our work reflects a commitment to hospitality, service, justice and compassion.

Mercy High School 1300 E. Northern Parkway | Baltimore, Maryland 21239 www.mercyhighschool.com