Twenty-nine young artists explored inner feelings of identity in an art exhibition organized in October by the Mental Health Association in Tompkins County.
“How I See Myself: Self-Portraits of Youth and Young Adults” featured invited art works by youth aged 10-17, who were celebrated at a First Friday Gallery Night Ithaca reception on November 3. The exhibition formed part of “United in Kindness,” a series of events coordinated by the Tompkins County Bullying Prevention Task Force.
“Some pieces expressed the difficult feelings that can result from bullying, others shared messages of hope and recognition that we are more than how other people see us,” said Melanie Little, director of Peer Programming at the Mental Health Association. She added that many of the 90 guests who attended the reception “remarked on the talent, depth and vulnerability demonstrated in the powerful works of these local young artists.”
The exhibition was curated by Ithaca artist Michael Sampson, a member of the Artist Alley studios and curator at The Gallery at South Hill.
“I see with the artists self-portraits an extremely individual body of work in the show,” Sampson said. “That individuality empowers the artists to continue with their artwork and use it as a tool to combat any struggles.”
“The theme gave the artists almost an assignment to face difficult things by using visual language to express what would otherwise be kept inside. Some artists in their statements gave advice, which was sweet and showed their compassion for others.”
“How I See Myself” was made possible in part by a grant from The Sophie Fund, which is honored to share the exhibition here. Thanks and bravo to the artists.
Autumn S., age 12
Through My Looking Glass
Digital print
“When I received the opportunity to make a self-portrait for this show, I leapt at the chance to participate because I enjoy sharing my work with others. While drawing I used a mirror and started wondering, ‘How can I make this more 3D?’ After working with the piece a few times and fiddling with the color scheme, shading, and background, I found a combination I was happy with. I feel that the final piece represents my artistic self well.”
Elise S., age 16, Ithaca High School
Internal Conflicts
Charcoal, pencil, collage materials
“This project is still a working process. I’m planning to cut out the figures and create a collage with it. I want to represent the two different sides of grief. Obviously you will have some sadness in your anger and some anger in your sadness. For the collage I want mostly pictures that either remind me of my father or pictures that remind me of his presence.”
Vivian B., age 15, Ithaca High School
The Fire Inside
Procreate
“The artwork is about the light and fire that each person has within themselves, and no matter what happens their light will still be burning.”
Juliet C., age 17, Ithaca High School
Juju
Watercolor
“This piece is a watercolor self-portrait that captures the mix of emotions that happen when being caught in a moment of excitement.”
Katie H., age 16, and Hannah A., age 16, Ithaca High School
Aramilla
Oil pastel on paper
“We wanted to create a portrait of an abstract person who symbolizes our inner thoughts and feelings. We wanted to show, in the most colorful and creative way, our biggest insecurity.”
Amelia D., age 13, DeWitt Middle School
The Mask
Paper and pencil
“Throughout the day her face is cracking because of all the rude comments but she wears a mask and puts it on every day and soon she´ll fully break under all the pressure.”
Sadie V., age 15, Ithaca High School
Modicum of True Self
Oil pastels
“When people are mistreated it’s often because only a small portion of their true selves is understood. If we give others a chance a whole world will open and we will be able to see the beauty in everyone.”
Violet W., age 10, Dryden Elementary
Meant To Be
Colored pencil on paper
“This piece of art is very valuable to people who are getting bullied or people who are being a bully. I made this because I wanted to help make people know that they belong and let them know that they matter.”
Katie H., age 16, Ithaca High School
Fingers in the Face
Mixed media
“This painting shows how the way we perceive ourselves is a lot worse than the way others perceive us. Sometimes we are the biggest bully to ourselves. For me, I always think one of my eyes is bigger than the other.”
Anisa P., age 11, DeWitt Middle School
Still Standing
Paint on canvas
“This is a piece about the effects of bullying and how they can get to people. But in this painting it was about how you can’t let what they say get to you.”
NEXT: Self Portraits of Youth (Part 2)
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