Malea Low
Class of 2023
Embedded Files
Life is like a highway, 2023
jelly gouache
In my sustained investigation, I ponder the topic of graduating high school, moving onto college, and the anxiety of the unknown that comes with it. Throughout this year, I have felt the mental impact of not knowing what I want to do next and constantly feeling pressured to follow the path of success, such as going to college, and planning out what to do in my future.
I represent my anxiety about my future by creating cloudy settings to express my mixed feelings about the unknown of what's beyond my upcoming high school graduation. At first, I wanted to make semi-realistic art with high levels of symbolism, but I found that this style made the process frustrating and mentally draining. Switching to a more surrealist style of work allowed for more freedom in my process while still achieving the same symbolic meanings that I wanted to express. It enabled me to enjoy any mistakes, and notice how they actually brought the work together in the end, instead of being stuck and frustrated. In making this series, just as I have been working to get over the pressure of making “perfect” art, I have been figuring out how to get over the pressure of expectations and the unknown that comes after high school.
Repetition, 2023
Watercolor, white gel pen
Scattered Thoughts, 2023
jelly gouache
RollerCoaster, 2023
jelly gouache
Pick a card, 2023
jelly gouache
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