Teenage Girl
Anna H.
Oil on canvas
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In this piece, I investigated a pervasive feeling of surveillance under the constant gaze of society, literally and figuratively. The inverted and reversed head, black hair in a bun, represents a commanding, professional figure, perhaps even my future self. By deliberately hiding the face of this figure, I invite my audience to project their own judge image. Despite the central presence of the towering figure who scrutinizes the faces below (snapshots taken from my camera roll), the girl still expresses a plethora of emotions from joy to contemplation, seemingly unaware. This piece is meant to capture and embrace all my authentic selves despite the weight of societal expectations and judgment. It also explores the internal conflicts within and beyond myself, as the looming head of self-criticism is omnipotent. Ultimately, this visual vignette dives into the push-and-pull between the external scrutiny I face and the desire for true self-expression I feel.
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Creativity means authenticity, adaptability, and risk-taking. It means being true to oneself and communicating one's unique experiences rather than conforming to trends. It means leaning into change and keeping an open mind to explore new conceptual or technical territories. It means embracing difference and pushing the boundaries of the conventional.
