AP Studio Art 2D

Background: Metamorphosis of Narcissus (1937) - Salvador Dalí

* Inquiry Question *

How can music affect a person's identity?

Piece #1: Naked Girl

My investigation is about how music impacts identity. I was inspired by the song Naked Girl by Iyla, wherein she talks about feeling the most confident and comfortable in her own skin when she is naked, alone, and in front of the mirror. In this work, I depicted what I picture in my mind when listening to the song. The piece shows a woman dancing out of the darkness and into a portal full of color and light. The woman herself is an unrealistic shade of pink that matches the imaginary world, as it shows her transforming into an imaginative state as well. A record is depicted in her afro, showing that she is being motivated by the music playing. She is depicted with stretch-marks, folds, and body hair. Instead of hiding these facts, she is comfortable and confident in her skin, as is shown in her dynamic, floaty pose. The edges represent the darkness and sadness of a world without music or imagination. The portal and new world that the girl steps into contrasts heavily with the borders, with bright colors such as purples, greens, and light blues as well as bubbles and a dynamic landscape.

Piece #2: Untitled

My investigation is about how music impacts identity. I was inspired by childhood, which is exemplified in the materials chosen, materials typically used by children in crafts. In my piece I depicted music (represented as a giant figure with a boombox for a head) in the act of giving an embrace to a flower, which signifies growth. The boombox is also a nod to the past, as boomboxes in their most traditional style are no longer used very often. The flower, a rose, blossoms in the center, showing how music elevates/grows us into our best state, the beautiful blooming stage of a rose. Rays of colors flow from the boombox speakers, showing the passage of music through them. The pose of the boombox is meant to be comforting, which I used yarn (often used in soft, warm, comforting sweaters and blankets) to help portray.

Piece #3: Drawing Board

This piece is entitled Drawing Board and shows experimentation of art principles form and contrast. I depict ballerinas in contrasting poses, contrasting colors, and contrasting instruments. I showcased the form of a ballerina through the many poses as well as the forms of trumpets and saxophones and how they are similar and different. This was a way of exploring art to further techniques to be used in future pieces.

Piece #4: Self Care

This piece is entitled Self Care and is meant to depict how music determines the energy and emotions of the person listening. My Inquiry is all about how music impacts identity, so in the piece I depicted differing confidence levels and emotional states. The piece depicts confidence (far left), sadness/feeling blue (top center), joy/contentment (far right), and tranquility/acceptance (bottom center). I utilized different poses and colors to get the emotions across, such as blue for sadness and a legs crossed, namaste-style pose for tranquility. I made the background a vinyl/LP to depict the music as well as several colors in the center to add to the whimsical nature. I was inspired by Mac Miller’s song Self Care. In the song, he chooses a very whimsical instrumental and the song is about finding peace.

*Displayed as a Competition Piece at the 12/15 Student Showcase.*

Piece #5: Do What You Gotta Do

This piece is called Do What You Gotta Do, and is named after Nina Simone’s cool jazz single. The piece depicts two jazz men in differing poses. The piece shows contrast in the forms of the men, their instruments, the colors, and their drawing style. The tall, lanky man represents the music typically associated with funky jazz, with high energy and bright, happy colors. His pose is upbeat and his tie is flowing and his energy is overall representative of the happier side of jazz. In contrast, the shorter, stouter man looks calm as he plays a melody that flows downwards. He is representative of cool jazz, almost blues, and he looks cool and collected while giving an aura of comfort. The background colors also show contrast, as the light blues of the bottom represent the genre “blues” and are cool to depict the slower, sadder toned music of the genre. Likewise, the chaotic poppy colors of the upper half are meant to show the high energy, funky, chaotic vibe of classic jazz and compliment the tall man’s energy.

Piece #6: Swan Lake

This piece is called Swan Lake. I started with the idea of three identical ballerinas but ended with the central figure representing the swan of swan lake and the other figures representing the water through their color. I experimented with charcoal, as I wanted to incorporate it as the background of my piece because it fits the aesthetic of swan lake. This piece relates to my sustained investigation because it shows ballerinas in their common state of tall, curvaceous but thin, elegant, and poised. The image of a ballerina is one I often associate with classical music.

Piece #7: Petal

The title of this piece is Petal, after the song by Raveena. This piece is meant to show how music causes enlightenment and growth, as symbolized in the depiction of the Bodhi tree, or the tree of Enlightenment in Buddhism. The original idea was to carve the shape into the record, I adapted by instead painting the shape in gold, a color associated with Buddhism and enlightenment.

*Displayed as a Competition Piece at the 12/15 Student Showcase.*

Piece #8: Black Punk

Black Punk is named after Rico Nasty’s hip-hop exploration of the punk genre. The piece represents growth as an individual as a response to musical influence, punk rock. It also represents a loss of innocence and progression as a person. The piece depicts common childhood toys and items, such as a teddy bear, a doll, and stickers as they've been altered to fit the interests and new identity of a teenager. A childish poster is seen falling from a floral patterned wall that is evidently torn and dilapidated, either due to age or due to the actions of its angsty owner.

Experiment Piece:

A BOY IS A GUN

A BOY IS A GUN is inspired by Tyler, the Creator's IGOR album. The piece is representative of bothe A BOY IS A GUN* and EARFQUAKE, two songs from the album. This was an experimentation done with chalk on concrete, and serves as inspiration for future pieces.

Piece #9:

Pink In The Night

My piece Pink In The Night is inspired directly by Mitski’s song of the same title. The piece represents songs as a source of lust/love and the thoughts that accompany the aforementioned song. It also serves as a tribute to the rest of Mitski’s Be The Cowboy album, which contains songs with similar messages.

Piece #10:

Let's Groove

Let’s Groove covers the same idea I explored in my Untitled Piece, music as a means of growth and how it connects to adolescence. I used material from my childhood: crayons, colored pencils, and markers and a childish style of drawing and coloring.

Page updated

Report abuse