Art

 

Ever since I was very young, I have made art. In fact, I cannot remember a time when art was not an important part of my life. Over the years, I have worked in a number of different mediums, including graphite drawing, oil painting, watercolor, silverpoint, and pastels. I have been artistically inspired by various experiences and artists. Last year, for instance, I did an extensive research project on Hieronymous Bosch’s oil painting The Garden of Earthly Delights. Analyzing the work’s use of symbolism to criticize the corrupt clergy and the loss of innocence among humans, inspired me to explore my creativity more deeply and to incorporate my ideas into my art in a more abstract way.

 

Taylor Moon, Class of 22, is a junior from South Korea, who attends the Chapin School, in New York. Taylor has studied art at TASIS International School in Switzerland, studied with Sheery Camhy at the Arts Student League of New York and the Ashcan Studio in New York.

Most of my stories begin in or around the woman and I think it is only fair. In Africa, a woman is seen as a vessel that holds the beginning of things, even though she might not carry it till the end. Like a mother birthing a child and handing him over to his father. A girl beginning her life with hopes and dreams only to drop them at the doors of marriage. I believe the feminine story is the most poignant tale you could ever tell and my images represent it as such: 

“Femme” shows a young girl in a vulnerable stance, one that is preferred for a woman to have. The flower in her mouth representing both her body and an offering, taking into account that her body can also be an offering/is more comfortably considered as an offering by many. Her lips pulled together in a frown, the lines on her face. She is dissatisfied with this mandatory portrayal of femininity but does it anyway. 

This is the reality of our young ones. We are pushed into boxes and expected to live our life within that cramped space. Expected to be everything our society terms  “womanly” or “manly”. Failure to do so exposing us to consequences beyond our imagination.

These photos come at a time when powerful forces seek to silence us as young Nigerians. The title “unfettered” comes as a prayer of hope in this case because in reality, we are shackled and afraid, looking over our shoulders. It displays the growing desire in every young Nigerian/African and other peoples around the world, who suffer from various injustices to just scream out and create change.

 

Anointing Obuh is a writer, singer, and photographer from Nigeria. A one-time best of the Net nominee, her works have been featured in Rattle, Mineral Lit mag, Honey and Lime Lit, Barren magazine and elsewhere. You can find her tweeting @therealAnniekay.

Art is both a therapeutic tool and an opportunity to explore one’s creativity. Through art, I have been able to highlight simple and seemingly ordinary aspects of life as creatively as I can. I have used art to not only sublimate strong emotions into visual expression like paintings, but also to play with ideas, however random or odd, and to exercise my creativity through them. Photography, in particular, has been a medium that helps me capture delicate and easily overlooked moments in nature and life.

 

Betsy Jenifer is a twenty-year-old artist from Vellore, South India. She has previously been published in After the Pause, Alexandria Quarterly and Door is A Jar, among other places.

In times of crisis and strife, we need to take time to reflect on our inner selves to muster the courage and strength to hang on. We can then learn to develop a stronger mental mindset for the present and future so that we can support each other. I created this piece because I wanted to reveal my inner reflection and self and show that it’s ok to not be okay. More than ever before, we need to be able to express our innermost thoughts and emotions to create a happier, more connected world with less judgment and more love and empathy.

 In my work, I focus on many themes concerning the complex facets of the human condition, in the hope that I can accurately convey different perspectives and shed light on important topics. To me, art is the mirror  which should reflect society, one that emphasizes what is important at that moment in time. My pieces explore the interplay of the concepts of life and death/mortality in our lives, lessons learned in my ongoing journey, and experiences through adolescence and youth.

  I have gone through phases of anxiety, confusion, and happiness, and I know many others who have had the same experiences growing up, making these shared pains ultimately relatable to many. Through resilience, this has created a multilayered person and persona, influencing my definition of a meaningful and successful life in our modern, judgemental society. All the pain, growth, and resilience have come together to become part of my unique identity as I continue the long search for my truth and voice, to become the best version of myself. My sincere hope is to empower others like me to take the time to carve their path and embrace their unique identities; everyone has a voice and message to share.

 

Jacqueline Wu is an artist from Long Island, New York. She has also won art competitions and awards, such as the Scholastic Art and Writing Awards and Celebrating Art. She is forthcoming in Remington Review, Teen Belle Magazine, and Celebrating Art. Jacqueline enjoys painting, drawing, writing, and playing the viola, and she hopes to continue to inspire and empower through the arts.

I was always fascinated by fantasy and fairytales as a child. I loved myths and legends and oddly shaped creatures. On this pointillism project, I decided to create a seal-ish loch ness monster because it was one of my favorite mythical creatures growing up. I also went with the colors of the galaxy to represent the beauty of this creature, even though we cannot see it with our naked eyes. The ocean is barely explored and who knows if these creatures could be lurking under the abyss beneath us. 

As we grow, our parents expect the best of us children and sometimes would unintentionally compare us to our siblings. This leads many of us to develop jealousy and depression and makes one wonder why they aren’t enough. Due to this, we may be so blinded by the success of others that we may forget our own dreams and the purpose that brought us here. Once a dream is crushed, it is likely to be destroyed for eternity. The feeling of being meaningless is something we have to be cautious about and help others regain their hopes. 

 

 

Tou Lao Moua, is seventeen years old and a senior at Johnson Senior High School in St. Paul, MN. He grew up with a passion for art and plans to attend Minneapolis College of Art and Design and major in animation. 

 

This photo was taken on a trail close to my house that I often visit when the weather is nice enough for photographs. It’s titled -Mariposa- and includes a gorgeous swallowtail butterfly. Butterflies are especially common where I live (Virginia). However, no matter how ordinary a bird, plant, or in this case a butterfly appears, I will always find beauty in the moments of stillness nature offers. In this particular moment, I was drawn to the lovely splash of baby blue and scarlet on the butterfly’s wings. I thought it was odd that two colors that usually might clash when worn as clothing, looked stunning simply dotted along the edge of a butterfly’s wings. I also found the pastel yellow of the butterfly’s wings and deep, rich green of the surrounding leaves made a pleasant combination. As an artist, I love to mix and match colors or make vivid sunset skies out of colorful paints that complement each other. So, I enjoy doing the same thing in my photographs. I look for contrasts of scarlet, yellow, pink, and blue or blends of white flowers in green fields, all for the aesthetic of beauty that complementary hues afford. 

 

Gina Ventry is a senior in high school. She’s moved four times in the four years of her high school career which sucked…lol. When not suffering through sleepless nights and maintaining a 4.4 GPA, she occupies her time with creative pursuits. Through the the last few moves, she’s discovered poetry, acrylic painting, and photography, and also started playing the bamboo flute. This is the first photograph she’s submitted anywhere and she can’t express the excitement of potentially sharing her art with others.