Natalie G11 & 12 Artist Portfolio '15 - '17

This triptych piece deals with the issue of self esteem and self acceptance.  It focuses on teenage girls specifically because of the peer pressure and that I could understand teenage girls better as that is who I am now.  Through personal experience, when I encountered a emotional challenge, I started tearing myself down until I realised what I was doing.  That was the inspiration for this piece.  The symbol of a reflection is seen in all three pieces: a shadow, a mirror, and a human being.  

The first piece is about a girl who is very reserved and lonely, however, her true self is shown in her shadow and a fun and boisterous being.  The girl concealed herself and moulded herself to who everyone thinks she should be. 

The second piece is interesting although it may look the simplest.  It is of a golden mirror and written inside the mirror are statements starting with "I am..."  I learnt so much from doing this piece.  I asked around the school, specifically the sophomores, to tell me something that they were proud of.  NO ONE could tell me something off the top of their heads.  They either asked a friend or joked around about it and I thought that it was really interesting how we couldn't even think about one thing, ONE thing that we were proud of.  I didn't realise how big of an issue it was until I did that little survey.  They finally did say something, but I think that most of them were only saying that because I was making them think of something.  I want to help change that.

The third piece is of a teenage girl, holding the hand of her younger sister.  The younger sister is actually a reflection of the older sister when she was young.  From growing up, the older sister became a lot more reserved and "proper", however, she still wants to be like her younger sister who is fun and full of energy.