Jaden Young 2021

Representation is an aspect our nation has struggled to define. It is what black little girls look for in the blonde barbie dolls that line the shelves (15) and in the array of Disney princesses that only touch upon people of color. I focused on representing the image that the nation has created through the use of body language and symbolism. The two intertwine and guide the viewer.

I explore color to place emphasis on crucial symbols (fire and roots explored in pieces 10 to 12, chemicals in piece 5) and create balance in the layout of my pieces. I incorporate lessons into my pieces by sketching the proportions of figures in my racial stereotyping piece (2) and before approaching the final product. I revisited my mirror piece (1) to learn how I can better resolve negative space and work with lighting to focus on what is most important. The topics of racial stereotyping, a lack of diversity for young girls, and the rise in violent shootings of people of color (7) are all crucial to understanding the need to improve representation in America. I have researched the lives that were lost in shootings and learned how I can use my creativity to visually represent such strong ideas.