Abby Lynch
The Final Clue
Whenever I create a new piece of art, I have to tell a story. Whether it be fictional or not, if there isn’t some kind of journey attached to the piece, I won’t enjoy working on it, and the viewer, I’m sure, won’t enjoy looking at it as well. With the recent uprise in old shows and movies getting remade, and my interest in animation as a career, I wanted to create a piece that reignites some sense of childhood nostalgia into the viewer. I took inspiration from movies and books from my childhood that were themed on fantasy and adventure such as Harry Potter, The Percy Jackson Series, and The Goonies. I incorporated the main theme of Shadow and Light by using it to convey the mood of the piece and to highlight its focal points. I hope that whoever views this artwork can help them remember that their inner child is always a part of them, and that despite being older or an adult, there’s always room for a little imagination.
Amelia Clark
Astigmatism Blues
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I have astigmatism, and didn’t realize it for years. This eye condition occurs when the cornea
is malformed, causing light sources to be obscured. So, when I look at a star I see a circle with long lines
coming off the centre. With my astigmatism prescription glasses though, I see little dots. This is why I always take my glasses off to stargaze, the lights seem less significant without my astigmatism. It’s enough to make me feel bad for people with healthy eyes. This condition affects only 8.4% of the population, but despite its
rarity, I never questioned my natural vision; I assumed my eyes were perfectly normal. In hindsight though; there were clear signs, the most obvious being how light looked through a camera. In a photo I could see how others view light, but I wasn’t able to capture my own vision. While there is no astigmatism filter, thanks to photoshop there are ways to capture the effect. Through editing, Astigmatism Blues gives viewers a chance
to see light through new eyes.
Ari Matthie
Untitled
(DIGITAL PRINT WITH MIXED MEDIAS)
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As an artist, my main interest lies in figure or portrait drawings in a variety of mediums. My work is a self-portrait repeated — drawn and painted in different mediums to highlight the more literal meaning of shadow and light in art. My strength lies in drawing, and my challenge for this assignment was to try to incorporate photography as a part of my final product. Contrast is very important to me, and the theme of Shadow and Light gave me the opportunity to focus on that. I took inspiration from Andy Warhol’s paintings when I struggled to decide on what to do for this piece. Rather than replicating the same image in different colors, I changed up the mediums. Using my limited photography skills, I took photos of myself, and nar
narrowed it down to a serious look. I am a focused and serious person when it comes to the things I love.
Beckett Skinner
Untitled
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In my photography piece, the interplay of shadow and light serves as a visual metaphor for the complex relationship between humans and extraterrestrial beings. The stark contrasts highlight the mysterious nature of alien abductions, symbolizing the shadows of fear and uncertainty that shroud these
encounters. Through careful composition, I aim to illuminate the blurred boundaries between the known and the unknown, emphasizing the duality of light, and reveal the horrors lurking in the shadows.
Calla Linskill
Untitled
As an artist who has been passionate about the arts for as long as I can remember, my work is an extension of my journey and observations. I wanted to show that there’s often more to human emotions and how hidden struggles often go unnoticed. My inspiration stems from the Jirai Kei fashion style, which is often worn by “landmine girls.” Landmine girls are women who engage in dangerous and abusive behaviour such as alcohol and drugs. When creating my art, I wanted to highlight that suffering isn’t always noticeable; it can be concealed behind fa.ades. The use of escapism through clothing and imagination became a central theme, reflecting how individuals navigate their inner struggles. Through my work, I want people to
recognize the complexity of the human psyche, encouraging them to look beyond the obvious and focus on the subtleties of emotion. I want to convey the message that understanding and empathy are important
skills to have and to think about, as everyone battles their unseen issues.
Charlotte Langrish
Balance
(CYANOTYPE ON FABRIC)
Cyanotype as a medium is intrinsically connected to the concept of shadow and light. It is a physical manifestation of chemical reactions initiated by light. Shadow and light invites an exploration of balance which was my intention with this piece. I ventured to create a sense of harmony and emphasize the necessity of light and darkness in a balanced life. I chose swans as my subject both because of my love of birds and for their long history of symbolism in art. Black swans especially represent the unexpected events that keep life interesting and filled with both happiness and pain. The process of creating this piece reminded me of this understanding as I needed to make many adjustments along the way.
Cristiana Jacinto
Os Amantes
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(DIGITAL PRINT WITH WATERCOLOUR PAPER, WATERCOLOUR, PEN, AND ACRYLIC)
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I’m Cristiana Jacinto, a 5th year student at Rosedale Heights. My focus is drawing, painting, and costuming. For this piece I wanted to explore watercolour and mixed media techniques; using fashion
photography to experiment with dramatic lighting and costuming. I was inspired by art nouveau paintings and celestial imagery. Art nouveau is an art style that I’ve loved for years. The paintings and architecture
are elegant and gorgeous to look at. I am also fascinated by otherworldly imagery and the symbolism people create for them, especially for the sun and moon. I chose them for this theme because of the shadow and light both create. The sun brings bright light and dark shadows. While the moon brings soft light that’s a beacon in darkness.
Dove Dey-Kerr
Bloom
I have always enjoyed the way that I can express myself through art because of the freedom I feel when I am creating. Photography has become a more recent passion of mine. I love how a photograph is restricted to a specific moment in time; capturing something fleeting like a wild animal or a rising sun, and that moment lasts forever. The primary message within this series revolves around the theme of personal growth, beautifully represented through the metaphor of a blooming flower. The journey of a flower’s growth from a closed, mysterious bud to an open, blossomed flower serves as an ideal representation of a
human’s growth stages. Connecting this to my personal life, being and body, the significance of this theme is important because I am also in the process of growing my artistic voice. Pursuing that growth is a critical part in my adventures and has shaped me into the human being I am today. This series gives you a view intowho I am as I evolve in shadow and light.
El Mcilravey
Silence
(PAINT ON CANVAS)
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In this piece of art, I hoped to portray how women’s pain is often ignored by the medical profession and in society. I worked with black and white to represent the medical system and worked with many different layers from photography to drawing then to painting to build my work. I have personal experiences
going through the process of being diagnosed with celiacs disease. In my journey several different doctors ignored my pain and my symptoms, telling me it was due to anxiety and that it was all in my head. My very real medical condition was accurately identified when I saw a new family doctor who believed meI know that
many women and girls have gone through similar experiences.
Elliot Lazarev
Shadow and Light: Over the Edge
In my artistic endeavor, I, Elliot, aim to illuminate the myriad paths diverging from society’s prescribed route. This creation is a response to the challenges posed by post-secondary education decisions, navigating through program choices and courses. The essence of my work is fueled by the desire to liberate oneself from the constraints of choices and the stress associated with rapidly constructing a portfolio. Graffiti becomes my medium, conveying the messages individuals encounter when venturing down alternative routes. Diverse colors symbolize the multitude of people, while the symbolic “Yellow Line” signifies the irreversible threshold one crosses. Ultimately, my objective is to empower individuals to recognize that their choices are uniquely theirs, impervious to external influences. No one should wield the authority to dictate another’s path.
Evan Zoric
Untitled
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My personal style and subject matter as an artist has been informed by life’s lowest lows and highest highs. Moments of passion or pure expression juxtaposed with intense grasping greed and wretched contempt. This is reflected through my work. The dynamic youth of the band members superimposed mockingly over the sickeningly red and distorted suited figures with their gnashing teeth a symbol of their animalistic hunger and lust for power. I view youth as a symbol of rebellion articulated best in my opinion by Hunter Thompson “that sense of inevitable victory over the forces of Old and Evil.” Not in any mean or military sense; we didn’t need that. Our energy would simply prevail. There was no point in fighting on our
side or theirs. We had all the momentum.
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Fenna Westenberg
Shadow Dance
As a senior at Rosedale Heights School of the Arts, I’m dedicated to pushing the boundaries of
traditional artistic mediums. In my digitally edited photograph, I immerse myself in the theme of shadow and light, constructing a narrative that delves into the complexities of identity. The focal point is an exposed back, a vulnerable canvas for wire-sculpted faces delicately suspended casting intricate shadows, orchestrating a surreal dance of form and absence on bare skin. Inspired by the multifaceted nature of human identity, I challenge viewers to contemplate the contrast between the visible and the concealed. This piece prompts
reflection on the nuanced layers shaping one’s sense of self. The play of light symbolizes the transparency and opacity inherent in personal narratives, highlighting the relationship between revelation and concealment. Through this exploration, my aim is to spark a contemplative dialogue on the complexities of self-discovery
and the ever-shifting nature of identity. I hope this artwork fosters thoughtfulness, encouraging viewers to question and appreciate the intricate interplay between the tangible and intangible aspects of their own lives.
Georgia Kakarelis
Untitled
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My piece is inspired by eco-brutalism and man-made structures which have been overgrown
or reclaimed by nature. I wanted to emphasize and spend a lot of time on creating the subject matter being photographed, and make an avant garde fence top out of wire and painted fabric, and photograph it outside in a dramatic way that enhances the piece. I chose a location with a lot of trees to catch the light and colours of the sunset in an interesting way. The barren/empty trees and cold atmosphere contrast with the vibrant flowers in the top. I wanted to make this a wearable piece because I am interested in avant garde fashion design and wearable art, but also to represent the relationship between human beings and the earth, the contrast of the natural and unnatural world. To me, shadow and light is all about opposites and juxtaposition,
connecting to the idea of eco-brutalism with the relationship between these two strongly opposing concepts, and whether they are fighting each other or coexisting.
Janie Mobwano
Final Round
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My piece conveys a story of how a continuously abandoned and neglected child copes with the
feeling of loneliness by creating fantasies from her imagination. The piece is a snapshot, a freeze frame of a climax, a breaking point, and a final cry for help from the girl, hoping someone will look her way. It’s her final attempt to illuminate the darkness that shrouds her life with the magic that she’s created. But, she blends into the background once again. Forgotten despite this being her hardest effort yet. The story’s meaning is
not meant to be visible at first, the vibrant lights and colours deter the viewer from thinking the piece has any deeper meaning. The viewer is only meant to uncover the darker meaning by recognizing the symbolism within; her fashion style, inspired by the subcultures of Jirai and Menhera Kei, her facial expression, full of
hope, but worried that she won’t pull off this imaginary stunt. Finally, her surroundings, empty, despite the busy scene, nobody stopped to give her the time of day.
Jeremy Savage
Lights Out
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(ACRYLIC PAINT ON CANVAS)
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Light is often depicted as comfort, a once scary dark room could suddenly turn into a safe bedroom with the flick of a light switch. It can change how you feel instantaneously; however, I believe darkness is misunderstood and can truly have a calming effect. My work is an examination of that calming feeling
towards total darkness. The subject’s closed eyes and peaceful expression emerges, as the bright light from behind them fades out. Edvard Munch’s portraits were an inspiration because of their thought provoking expressions. The point of my artwork was for it to be thought provoking. Introducing a new perspective on the emotional effects darkness can have on someone, no matter their attitude towards it.
Kate Harrington
Collapse
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In my final year of high school, I wanted to experiment and push the limits of my skills. The
Magenta Project was a challenge for me as I usually work with drawing and painting. Throughout the creation and experiments with my portfolio, I focused on the fundamental connection between humans and nature,
and the way we interact with it. I combined unnatural and natural spaces and was inspired by surrealist photographers such as Maurice Tabard, who experimented with unique compositions and layering shapes, often using the human form as a subject. For this project, I wanted to highlight the changes I’ve been able
to observe in myself and discover where my light comes from. I took the Shadow and Light theme in a metaphorical sense, as the light comes from within and shines through the shadow. I aimed to draw attention to the expressions and the almost psychedelic experience the image gives the viewer. My light comes from my creativity and expressing love towards others. Overall, experimenting with photography has been an amazing experience, and I will incorporate it into my future works.
Luca La Rocca
Fall Into Spring
I wanted to cover themes of mental health in my piece. I have Generalized Anxiety Disorder,
which means I experience anxiety more often and more intensely than others. I also have depression, and this combination can create a mixed headspace. I mull over the tiniest details of every issue I have, while also having spurts of feeling like the world is dull and unfulfilling. My whole family suffers from some kind of mental illness, so it is a massive and important part of my life. This inspired me to make something important to me, but something that is also relatable for people who have similar problems. I chose to have the world go from colour to dull because with depression it is an odd split. Sometimes you feel fine and the world seems
colourful and happy, while other times it feels dull and colourless. With this piece, I hope I can make people who can relate feel seen while also showing those who can’t relate how it can feel.
Lucy Nichols
Untitled
(ACRYLIC PAINT ON CANVAS)
This artwork was created for the third assignment for my portfolio class. The photo was to represent darkness and loneliness and was inspired by the darkcore kind of aesthetic. I used sketches that I had originally for the preliminary work for the complete design for the entire project. I wanted the whole painting to be black and white so that you could see the silhouette in the photo. Even though it doesn’t have much colour, the form and texture comes through in the painting. My past projects have been based more in colour so doing this was a bit out of my comfort zone. But I’m glad I took on this challenge. I’ve wanted to get better at form painting and I think that I succeeded with this project. I’m very pleased with how it turned out in the end because I put a lot of hard work into it and I think I’m really proud of it.
Marin Stephens
20s Redux
Since I was a little kid, I have loved fashion, specifically dresses. I would make dresses from
random materials and things I found around the house. I learned how to sew and developed my skills as I got older. I have been exploring vintage fashion and its relationship to femininity. One era that I became particularly interested in was the Roaring 20s. These glamorous and classical looks, born from women’s emancipation, informed my work. The Roaring 20s inspired me as I am a young woman of the 20s in a different century. It fits perfectly into the theme of Shadow and Light, which I interpreted as a contrast. I wanted to use the dresses I’ve made to show how light and shadow interact and overlap.
Madeline Smith
Multifaceted
When creating a series, I spend a lot of time consuming photographs by others. A big inspiration for my series was “Light. Shadow. Perfect Woman” by George Mayer. I found this series simple and powerful, two aspects that I find extremely important within my work. Through examining his photos, I knew I wanted to
explore identity, and more specifically how people choose to show different layers of themselves depending on who they are around. Immediately I thought an interesting way to do this would be by layering images. It allowed me to create depth within my photo and tell more of a story. I believe it allows viewers to dissect
the image and interpret it as they wish. Overall I simply want people to walk away from my photo enjoying it, and reflecting on how they perceive it. One of my favourite parts of art is how subjective it is. Depending on your life and who you are, you will walk from my photo differently than another person, and I think there is beauty to that.
Madelaine Sankey
the halcyon fig
(DIGITAL PRINT WITH ACRYLIC PAINT AND PEN)
I’m so drawn to mixed media artwork, and when creating, I want to present eclectic, but still
beautiful pieces. This work explores themes of womanhood, with reference to Sylvia Plath’s ‘The Bell Jar,’. I wanted to represent femininity with the bows, and the ribbon helped to my piece. I’ve struggled with gender identity for a lot of my life. And while I don’t deny my gender as completely female anymore, womanhood is something I still cherish. I drew a big influence from the work of Nan Goldin and her cinematic portrait shots. Starting, I knew I wanted my piece to be of people, and I‘m pleased with how her inspiration showed through in my piece. I used photography as the main component of my piece, layering overtop acrylic and white pen. My goal was to evoke feelings of comfort and warmth in the piece, while I know every viewer will see it differently.
Maya Weiss
Staircase
I wanted to focus on the contrast between the light and shadows on the staircase, as well as
capture the architecture and symmetry of it. I used a flash straight ahead of the staircase so that I could line up the shadows to look symmetrical and even. I was inspired by the dark shadows in architectural photography
and the lines and shapes that it makes using light. Originally, I wanted to photograph more architectural buildings in the city and create a deeper contrast between the shadows and light. Although my final work was a lot more simple than I would have liked, I think that it still gives off the same techniques and effects
that I originally wanted.
Meesha Contreras
Under the Bridge
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(DIGITAL PRINT WITH COLLAGE AND INK)
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I like drawing, painting and writing songs, to capture a moment or a feeling, or sometimes just
because I stumble across a riff or a shape that sparks my interest. I’ve also been getting into photography, and finding it super cool. I took this picture walking at night with three of my friends, after we got dinner together, and I wanted to capture the moment. My friends in the foreground, the bridge overhead and the building in the distance come together to create a sense of depth, and the street leads everyone forward. I incorporated collage because I feel like it can let you see all the different sides through different textures and colours in one cohesive form. I chose this picture because I wanted to capture the moment with my friends that night. It was dark and we were tired, but us and the city were alive. My artworks are normally pretty colorful so it was a fun change of pace to try working in a more monotone style.
Ozaawaamukwaikwe Secord
Persephone in Mourning
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In religious imagery where everything is very romanticized, we often see women depicted in a very pitiful view. Though these classic images are beautiful, the true nature of women and what femininity isn’t depicted truthfully when we are upset. I wanted this image to invoke her sadness. but also, the inner
being that can’t be expressed through a person’s face. the dramatic contrast with the black and white to hint further to the story I created.an amazing experience, and I will incorporate it into my future works.
Raven Barato
Amara
My main source of inspiration has come from literature; the writers Anais Nin and Henry Miller. I like art that contains the stories of many lives behind it. Often in classic religious icons the different figures and symbols all connect to each other to reveal historical significance and ideologies. The Shadow and Light photograph I took focuses on the role of balancing one’s life between faith and desire, and the vulnerable unspoken emotions that come with it.
Rowan Langley-Waldron
dipsomaniac
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As a digital photographer, my artworks embody a connection between psychology and the visual arts, capturing human experiences through a lens. Using the human subject as a focus, I open my eyes to the relationship between body and mind. The idea of shadow and light draws inspiration from Arnold Newman’s environmental portraits, aiming to visually show the life flow of alcoholism. Transforming this idea into a self-portrait invites viewers to connect personally with the struggles of alcohol addiction. I embrace Newman’s compositional techniques with shadow and light, which effectively convey the emotional weight
of alcohol dependence. Symbolic elements like alcohol bottles and a wine glass enrich the statement, while casting bold shadows helps enlarge the issue. The grayscale transformation of the photograph projects this desired message, utilizing bold shadows and subtle highlights. Through this artwork, I aspire to communicate
the idea of despair and hope, appealing to viewers emotionally to help them understand how complex an addiction can become.
Rueben Mcclellan Thiesen
boundaries of body
(DIGITAL PRINT WITH SCANNING AND COLLAGING)
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In a world that often seeks to categorize and limit expressions of identity, Art is a transformative
space where the boundaries of experience are blurred, and the complexity of identity can be laid bare. As a queer artist, I found inspiration in Claude Cahun, a queer surrealist photographer. Claude had a spirited commitment to challenging gender roles and blurring the boundaries of expression. I want to express the intersections between gender and artistic expression and pay homage to the generations of trailblazing 2SLGBTQIA+ artists and revolutionaries before me. I invite viewers to engage in a dialogue about their own gender expression, and create connection and creation between all facets of expression.
Shu Rou Wang
Waves
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I created this artwork for Magenta’s Flash Forward Incubator Program, under the theme of
Shadow and Light. My primary sources of inspiration were Hiroshi Sugimoto’s Lighting Fields and Henri Cartier-Bresson’s candid photography of daily life. I wanted to create a multimedia image that combines traditional photography and modern digital art. The image was taken at Rosedale Heights and captures a place where students are typically restricted from entering. I wanted to convey the sense of forbidden mystery that shadow and darkness represent with a familiar yet mysterious location. The rush of water represents the necessity for coexistence between shadow and light. My intention was to create an artwork that harmonizes these two elements. The message this artwork conveys is the necessary balance between two extremes.
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Simone Lobo
Untitled
(DIGITAL PRINT WITH PEN AND ACRYLIC PAINT)
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This project was a bit different for me since I usually do pencil and paint art. I took on the challenge of using photography this time. Normally, I focus on drawing human anatomy, like how organs and bones connect. But for this project, I wanted to try animal anatomy and capture the emotions in each piece. This work mixes photos with pen and acrylic, playing with light and shadows to express feelings. Bold shadows give a 3D effect and the drawing adds details, making shadows pop and softening the light. It’s a unique mix of two arts for a fresh look, exploring animal bodies and using photos for subtle details. Adding different mediums makes it fun and keeps the project interesting. I’m open to changes and thinking about showing animal anatomy to take a creative journey.