Open heart
Emma W.
Acrylic on canvas, blue and red ink on paper
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My painting depicts little, stylized versions of myself sitting in a realistic heart. The heart has long been a symbol of love and passion. In painting a realistic heart, I aim to make these abstract concepts more tangible. The cartoony style of the figures contrasts the realism of the heart, bringing a more playful and creative twist to the visceral heart imagery. My painting is a reflection on identity. On a surface level, humans are all the same: we have the same functions and vital organs. However, emotion and identity is what sets man apart from animal—as uniquely human. I hold these pieces of myself close to my heart, the organ that pumps life-sustaining substances through my body, but also the symbolic center of emotion, in order to remind myself that my humanity is deeply entwined with my identity and emotions.
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To me, creativity is a means of conveying one’s beliefs and emotions. I believe that the beauty of art lies in authenticity. As a dancer, musician, and visual artist, creativity is an outlet for me to physically express my emotions when I struggle to communicate them in other ways.
