Stranger in the Glass
Yuri S.
Colored pencil
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Stranger in the Glass tells the story of my friend, a boy who fled Ukraine after the war began. Back home, he had built an active life in acting, modeling, and competitive taekwondo—parts of himself that shaped who he was. When he arrived in the U.S. as a refugee, he had to leave all of it behind. In this new city, he isn’t just learning a different culture, but a different version of himself. After quitting taekwondo and pausing his modeling career, his life became so unfamiliar that even his own reflection was like a stranger looking back at him through the glass. This artwork honors him and all refugees who have been forced to leave pieces of their identities behind. It reflects the strength and courage it takes to begin again in a place that feels entirely new.
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Creativity to me is sharing a message to the world without needing words to express it. It allows me to share stories, emotions, and experiences while making others pause, reflect, and understand a deeper meaning in my artwork.
