Collaborative Worker and Effective Communicator
My ability to work collaboratively through art is most prominently reflected through my piece “Atlas,” which I created as a collaborative project. An anonymous classmate submitted a poem to be painted, and this is how “Atlas” came into existence. To curate this painting, I additionally had my friend model for me in order to achieve the most realistic anatomy and angles. He held a spherical object and kneeled on one knee, while I took pictures of him.
In order for this piece to reach its highest potential, I had peers and friends in my classes critique my work and give me pointers. I was able to effectively adhere to new ideas and communicate my own to others, resulting in the full development of my design before I executed the painting.
The poem-art collab project helped students work together without unveiling identities, but all of my art pieces reflect some form of communication. Artistic expression is often overshadowed by aesthetics. While it is meaningful to make an appealing art piece, truly moving pieces have an underlying message.
In Greek mythology, Atlas is a Titan who was condemned to hold up the heavens and celestial spheres for eternity after losing the Titanomachy – a war between the Titans and Olympians. Some sources credit him with inventing the first celestial sphere, or even astronomy.
Collaboration is an area where I feel that I am constantly growing. As a shy child, communication was never a strong suit of mine. Art was. In fourth grade, I joined a summer theater program and realized I could embrace the hidden extrovert that I’ve lived with my whole life. I realized that summer that art was an outlet for me to crawl out of my shell and work collaboratively with others. I was then able to use two-dimensional art as a means of communication through artistic messages.
My hope for this piece is to successfully capture the mythological history while also tackling ideas relating to the weighing role of men in society and their point of view in contrast to that of women. In my A.P. Art Portfolio, I explore the duality of femininity and contradicting expectations of their roles in society. However, this piece branches into the male perspective, demonstrating the pressure put upon them to support, provide for, and carry the weight of their families or surrounding circles. Masculinity is often characterized as burly, strong, independent, dominant, and controlling. Atlas is a distinguished version of this image, carrying the weight of the entire universe on his shoulders.