What inspired this award-winning work?
The assignment for my AP art and drawing exam was to ask a question and answer it through my artwork. I began wondering how students spend time outside the classroom while they’re at school. I ended up with the question: Where do students seek refuge in high school? I created a series of eight works showing students gathering in the bathroom, and this one, titled Support Group, is my favorite. I loved how body language could express one student’s anguish so powerfully.
How did you develop the composition?
When I tried to take reference photos inside the bathroom stall, the space was too tight and the angles were weird. I decided to lie down outside the stall and take a series of photos underneath the walls to see if they might look better. The results were amazing! You couldn’t see everything going on, but it was just enough to make the viewer curious.
What do you hope viewers will see in this drawing?
I want viewers to have an insight into our lives as teenagers. Not everything is happy and cheery in high school. Being a teenager can be emotionally challenging and stressful.
Do you have any advice for aspiring artists like yourself? Try to create artwork that means something to you personally. You will be more inspired and people will appreciate and understand your work if it has personal meaning.