Amelia Francis
Deception
(DIGITAL PRINT WITH GRAPHITE, AND ACRYLIC PAINT)
For my art piece, I wanted people to know the deception of manipulative behaviour and dishonesty. I am someone with integrity, and I wanted to showcase that through my art. I was inspired by social media and the way that people would lie to their viewers or steal a company name that was already taken,
and it really fueled me to make this piece that demonstrates that. I was also inspired by the creative texture and tones used in calligraphy. I really like how one sentence can have different meanings just by the style of the words, and I wanted to incorporate that into my art piece. The message I want the viewers to grasp is the reality that some people in your life only want the worst for you, and that you should really be mindful of that and stay close to the people you trust.
Kaitlyn Cedar Wran
The Divine Feminine
(DIGITAL PRINT WITH PENCIL CRAYON)
As a creative person, I enjoy many artistic forms. Over the last year and a half, I have poured a
tremendous amount of creative energy into learning the art of pole dancing. It is extremely important for me to connect to my feminine energy and express myself. For me, pole dancing is a powerful form that brings a strong, confident feminine body forward to express the true beauty of women in art and dance; a story of the importance of the divine feminine. Surrounded by a dark boundary that is slowly opening up, we find the space where women can begin to embrace their sexuality in a world that often views women’s expression of the body negatively
Amy Harrington
The pretties lies.
(DIGITAL PRINT, COLOURED PENCIL, ACRYLIC, PAINT, AND COLLAGE)
Realism has been the foundation of art since the beginning, whether it be an artist trying to capture a moment or push back against the restraints of traditional works in the form of abstract pieces. Personally, I have always been drawn towards creating realistic pieces; however, recently, I’ve been intrigued by the concept of creating abstract realities, resulting in works similar to surrealism. For this piece, I was inspired by the phrase “hidden in the shadows” and used fire to create a narrative story — burning away the original digital image to reveal what symbolically lay beneath. By adding newspaper articles and objects to the underside of the digital photograph, I explored what we might find in the void. Too often in life, we choose to present a false narrative in order to please those around us. I believe that although the truth may feel ugly, it should not be feared. The ideology that the truth can only be presented if it’s pleasing is dangerous. Ultimately, I wanted this piece to speak to that.
Emma Gibbs
Waves
(DIGITAL PRINT WITH OIL PASTELS, HARD PASTELS, PENCIL CRAYON, MARKER AND GRAPHITE)
As an artist, spiritual concepts such as angels and devils, and good and evil have always been
something I’ve enjoyed incorporating into my work as well as when viewing the works of others. The battle between the opposing forces especially peaks my interest. My inspiration for this work is The Sword of the Spirit from the Bible (see Ephesians 6:17), and the seven deadly sins. The Word of the Spirit in the Bible refers to the Word of God, which we can use to fight off temptation. I incorporated the seven deadly sins as shadow-like figures, tempting the figure as it tries to fight them off. I’d like viewers to leave knowing that while this world may try to offer us many temporary pleasures, we need to lead a moral and good life. Many pleasures in this life come from a place of evil, and evil can only hurt us. Sometimes it can disguise itself. For example, no one questioned why there was a serpent in the Garden of Eden.
Harleen Dhaliwal
Little Red
(DIGITAL PRINT WITH PAINT AND PENCIL CRAYON)
Fairytales are often seen as for children, despite their grim undertones. One of these dark,
childish stories is that of Little Red Riding Hood. Such a basic story is easy to expand and morph into your own morals while keeping the tale intact. Inspired by old fairy tale books and hyper pop, this piece tells the tale of childhood purity. The shine of young Red represents childhood innocence surrounded by the dark shadows of the wolf. Teeth sink in, displaying the harsh realities around us.
Isabella Gomez
Little Mementos
(DIGITAL PRINT, CARDBOARD, PAPER, WOOD, ACRYLIC PAINT, MARKER, FELT, THREAD, GLITTER)
I’m drawn to bright colours, and it’s reflected in my brightly saturated artworks. By looking at
different techniques, artists, and art movements, I’m able to further develop my art style. Recently, I digitally created a mini 3D model of a sculpture. Inspired by this project and miniature replica models, I planned out this piece. With graduation approaching, I wanted to reflect on my journey and create a piece that reflects the nostalgia I feel when closing the curtains. I’ve chosen a theatre background as it’s relatable to my own childhood and also plays into the Light and Shadow theme. While the shadow being cast from the bear might
appear ominous, there’s a child-like whimsical touch with the addition of glitter and 3D childhood memorabilia. Eventually, we all need to put aside our childhood and take on the new responsibilities of adulthood. With the bear representing oneself, we can remember that it’s ok to put aside the daily stresses and to long and look back on “the good ol’ days.”
Jacob Rejean Lemieux
The Problem We Caused
(DIGITAL PRINT WITH PAINT, COLLAGE AND PENCIL)
For this work, I wanted to interpret death and life both physically and metaphorically. I always
think about how the earth would be without death or what would happen if we went too far. My thinking was inspired by the current wars and how we’ve slowly killed off things by polluting the earth. Overall, I’m not happy with the things I’ve used to make this work. I added paint, but that is what made me kind of despise the work, and trying to fix the chains really discouraged me. With this, I experienced what happens if we
don’t act quickly enough. As we continually try to fix the earth, we often find ourselves without the time to make the changes we need. A hooded figure looms over the earth, posing as the grim reaper. Only a small portion of the earth is lit up by the sun being blocked out, the other being polluted and destroyed.
James Maxwell
Nostalgia
(DIGITAL PRINT WITH PAINT AND CRAYON)
At a time in life where I am at a crossroads between childhood and adulthood, I am often reminded about how life once was when I was a child. Whether it be seeing the backyard that’s a shell of what it once was or finding old torn up drawings in the storage of my closet, there’s always a memory to relive and learn from. Inspired by the urban photography of Todd Hido and the surrealistic photography of Gregory Crewdson, I wanted to visualize the reliving of memories of my childhood using a photo of my backyard. I wanted my artwork to be the perfect level of messy and unkempt, almost as if it was an artwork that I had rediscovered from my childhood. The bright white figures of the past contrasting the dark environment of the present
represents the contrast of how different my life has become from what I had once envisioned. Growing up is inevitable, but you can always use the lessons of your past to make your life a little brighter.
Kaitlyn Cedar Wran
The Divine Feminine
(DIGITAL PRINT WITH PENCIL CRAYON)
As a creative person, I enjoy many artistic forms. Over the last year and a half, I have poured a
tremendous amount of creative energy into learning the art of pole dancing. It is extremely important for me to connect to my feminine energy and express myself. For me, pole dancing is a powerful form that brings a strong, confident feminine body forward to express the true beauty of women in art and dance; a story of the importance of the divine feminine. Surrounded by a dark boundary that is slowly opening up, we find the space where women can begin to embrace their sexuality in a world that often views women’s expression of the body negatively
Madison Diamond
Blooming
(DIGITAL PRINT WITH ACRYLIC PAINT)
When making art, I try to create works that have a sense of connectivity or comfort to them. Being able to connect to artwork allows me not to feel alone and helps me feel a sense of tranquility, which I want others to experience too. For my piece, the inspiration came from what I see in society. We focus on
trying to display how “perfect” and happy life is on social media apps, yet we don’t acknowledge that this societal norm of perfectionism is unhealthy and that it sets unrealistic expectations to live up to, especially for those who already struggle with issues like body image and mental health. I want to assure the viewers through my piece that it’s valid as well as natural to struggle and feel low sometimes. Also, that it’s important
to not hide away our true selves to fulfill societal standards. We must understand that how we choose to display ourselves is not always the full picture, which is alright; we’re all human after all.
Mikayla Langdon
Stripped Away
(DIGITAL PRINT WITH PAPER MACH. AND PAINT)
Recently, there has been a lot of focus on distinct cultural groups, recognizing their beliefs, identities, and histories. Even with these unique ways of living, we all have the ability to be stripped down to the same three states of mind: conscious, subconscious, and unconscious. In my piece, I used a digitally modified portrait, along with paper mache and paint, to convey these states of mind. I’m interested in stripping down structures to understand how they work, and I enjoy incorporating that into my art. The three states of mind are symbolically portrayed in my piece. The mask was used to represent the conscious mind and to remove the individuality of the figure. The swirling lights, added with digital software, represent the subconscious mind, which controls our emotions and habits. Finally, the skin peeling away to reveal the autonomous control of our core systems represents the unconscious mind. After viewing my work, I hope that viewers see the simplicity of our minds when personality and individuality are stripped away.
Nicholas Supryka
The Struggle for Balance
Throughout most of my life, my biggest stressor has been the future of the planet and the world
that my generation has been given to deal with. In this work, I wanted to express my fears about the growing crisis between nature and industry, and its impact. To me, the theme of Shadow and Light related instantly to the ideas of balance and contrast. Digital photo editing allowed me to easily split the work in two and adjust the value to create two contrasting states. The message I worked with in the creation of this piece was my
thinking around the idea that if society continues to grow too much, nature cannot thrive, and vice versa. For me, this work is a warning towards what we will be dealing with in the near future while we all continue to navigate finding balance and how fragile that can truly be.
sally navarro
serenity
(DIGITAL PRINT WITH CRAYON AND ACRYLIC PAINT)
Amid a world that often feels too vast for me to find my place, where time seems to speed by
and I struggle to stay grounded, I seek sanctuary in nature. The ocean, the clouds, and the trees — they speak to me, bringing scents and breezes that offer comfort when I feel overwhelmed. It is within the embrace of these natural wonders that I reconnect with my essence, with the source from which I draw inspiration. Through my art, I aim to capture the serenity and inspiration that nature provides, offering a connection to others who, like me, yearn for moments of tranquility amid the chaos. May my work serve as a reminder of the beauty and peace that exist within and around us, waiting to be discovered and cherished.
Shekinah Rabor
Self-Acceptance
(DIGITAL PRINT WITH CHARCOAL, WHITE CHARCOAL, & WATERCOLOUR)
I am a simple person overall, but my thoughts can be complex. My goal was to create a work of art that could cause emotions to well up inside me upon viewing it. The inspiration for this work of art was a personal observation I had about the consistent presence of shadows in well-lit spaces. I think of light and shadow as two sides of the same coin since one cannot exist without the other. The shadow is fading away as the figure is embraced. This artwork is a reminder of how far I have come socially and as a person, releasing the guilt I have been carrying. I am no longer by myself, but surrounded by people whom I can confide in.
Sierra Bishop
Fragments
(DIGITAL PRINT WITH ACRYLIC PAINT AND STRING)
I have always been fascinated and inspired by the people around me. Over the years I’ve found
people are oftentimes far more complex than you initially realize, with layers of identity and “self” to peel back on. This focus on life and identity has stayed with me and permeates much of what I create. My love for black and white photography inspired my use of a grayscale photograph; the tree itself represents life and growth— the branches aiding the idea of the web-like intricacies of self and aspects of being. The image being separated represents the act of pulling someone apart to better understand them; the use of red visualizing the potentially jarring or surprising experience this can be. It is my hope to communicate something that captures what it’s like to build a relationship with someone and the level of unveiling that goes along with this. We are more than what we may present on a surface level, and all carry hidden or “shadowed” aspects of ourselves.
Silver Lloyd
Dragons hideaway
((DIGITAL PRINT WITH ACRYLIC PAINT, CHALK PASTELS, WATERCOLOUR, GRAPHITE AND GEL PEN)
Some of my main interests are in fantasy creatures and adventures. I draw inspiration from
movies I enjoy, like How to Train Your Dragon, and by working on my own creativity through drawings I like to do. My goal with this work was to create something based on the theme of light and shadow, but to keep a creative approach in my own style. My main source of inspiration came from pictures of the mythical creature Nessy from Irish folklore, a flower called moonflower, my own drawing of the dragon in the painting, and a few pictures of caves. I’m interested in knowing how people hide their true selves from the cruelty of reality, so that they can escape into the fantasy of their own creation.
Sophia Evink
breathe
(DIGITAL PRINT WITH PENCIL CRAYON, GRAPHITE AND ACRYLIC PAINT)
I enjoy creating art to express myself. The creative process of sketching, painting, and assembling is thrilling and soothing. Good things take and require time, allowing me to escape the harsh reality of life. The figure’s features and physique feel like body dysphoria. The inclusion of media, particularly the measuring tape is tied by one’s thoughts and expectations literally and symbolically — “stealing one’s breath away.” The bright light displays our mental processes and thoughts. In the darkness, we cannot see anything, so we focus on the main light source showing the potential intentions of bodily dysphoria. Body image and idealization of the female body in society, like standards, problems, or influences, intrigue me. I relate to the message in my final work. I’ve learned that society strives for body perfection. However, while society defines “perfection,” you shouldn’t compare yourself to others. In moments of denial, we’re all unique in our ways. One shouldn’t “measure” themselves against those around them.
Tara Kirby
Mystic Magic
(DIGITAL PRINT WITH ACRYLIC PAINT, COLLAGE, ALCOHOL MARKERS, GLITTER, GLOSS AND VARNISH)
Adventures are my favourite thing — whether it’s exploring reality with a hike or escaping into
a fantasy world of a book. My photos, paintings, sketches, even doodles stem from my explorations. This work of art was inspired by my love of escaping into a book. Books are my light that transport me from the shadows of reality. Shadows can be dark, hard, and even boring in their simplicity and flat dimensions. The light of a book is the opposite of that, its intricacy and light beckons me. Realistically, shadows are unavoidable,
but it’s important to find the light in an escape or in another healthy outlet. I hope that viewers will recognizethat they are not alone in their shadows and be inspired by my piece to find their own light.
Tiana White
Flourish and Wither
(DIGITAL PRINT WITH OIL PASTELS, CALLIGRAPHY INK, GLITTER AND PAPER)
I’ve always been captivated by the beauty of nature, and I often integrate natural elements into my artwork as they hold diverse meanings. For me, trees are intriguing because they symbolise unrestrained growth, reflecting the idea that humans should also be free to develop without strict limitations. In exploring the theme of Shadow and Light, I found that we often associate darkness with negativity, but what if we looked at it differently? Just because it’s in the dark doesn’t mean it’s bad. Like sunflowers that grow at night, our true identities can flourish in the shadows. While we may conform to society’s expectations on the surface, our inner selves thrive in the darkness, waiting to be revealed.
Viktor Finlayson
Phenomenon J-27N
(DIGITAL PRINT WITH GAUCHE, PENCIL AND INK)
My piece is a culmination of my journey as an artist throughout my high school career. I created the character in my piece; Jester, in the ninth grade. When given the theme Light and Shadow I knew I wanted to create something scary or off-putting. I’m especially happy with my composition. I wanted Jester to feel
like a looming evil embodiment of chaos, like when he walks he’d make giant booms of sound. I love the body horror genre and I wanted to emulate the things that I really love in horror, so I really focused on tweaking his design to look otherworldly. The goal I had in mind was to make something that I love, but other people feel very uncomfortable looking at it. And, I think if it was late at night and you saw Jester at the foot of your bed — it’s over.
