ASAA All-State Art

Loss of Indigenous Language, Culture, and Advocation



1st Place – Drawing & Congressional Award

Title of Art Piece: Loss of Indigenous Language, Culture, and Advocation
Category: Drawing – 2022
Student/Artist’s Name: Analea Rexford
School: Wasilla High School
Grade: 11th
Artist Statement:

This art piece of a young native girl with tape over her mouth to show how they were not allowed to speak their native language, which has led to many native children and parents not even knowing their language today.

Artwork Dimensions: 9" wide x 12" high
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Original Images
http://artalaska.org/wp-content/uploads/Loss-of-Indigenous-Language-Culture-and-Advocation.jpg

A Change in Perspective



2nd Place – Drawing

Title of Art Piece: A Change in Perspective
Category: Drawing – 2022
Student/Artist’s Name: Peter Park
School: Lathrop High School
Grade: 12th
Artist Statement:

This piece displays the fear of spiders that plague many people’s worst nightmares. In this piece, the close up of the spider’s hair serves as a disturbing framework for the reflection of fearful onlookers in the glassy eyes of the arachnid.

Artwork Dimensions: 8.5" x11.5"
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Original Images
http://artalaska.org/wp-content/uploads/gravity_forms/43-86be3940bf5ebab5728a18094bf15113/2022/04/A-Change-in-Perspective.jpg

Warped



3rd Place – Drawing

Title of Art Piece: Warped
Category: Drawing – 2022
Student/Artist’s Name: Fin Ludwig
School: West Valley High School
Grade: 12th
Artist Statement:

The medium was pen and ink on drawing paper and was inspired by the world that was my room during quarantine. The fisheye effect capturing the warping of my space, stretching it to fill the sphere of my isolated planet.

Artwork Dimensions: 12" x 17"
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Original Images
http://artalaska.org/wp-content/uploads/gravity_forms/43-86be3940bf5ebab5728a18094bf15113/2022/03/FLudwig.jpg

The Elephant in the Room



Honorable Mention – Drawing

Title of Art Piece: The Elephant in the Room
Category: Drawing – 2022
Student/Artist’s Name: Alissa Powell
School: Soldotna High School
Grade: 12th
Artist Statement:

The expression “the elephant in the room” is one of my favorite metaphors and I thought it would be fun to have two individuals react to having a literal elephant in their living. I drew inspiration from the style of traditional political cartoons for the theme of this piece in order to add a hint of satire. I wanted the piece to have a comfortable and warm feeling in order to welcome the viewer as well as juxtapose the emotions of the two human characters. I intentionally left the topic of the characters’ discomfort ambiguous in order to allow the audience to draw up their own conclusions. Are the characters perturbed by the presence of the elephant, or are they annoyed with one another?

Artwork Dimensions: 12" wide x 9" high
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Original Images
http://artalaska.org/wp-content/uploads/gravity_forms/43-86be3940bf5ebab5728a18094bf15113/2022/04/Alissa-Powell-The-Elephant-in-the-Room-SOHI.JPG

Hidden Expressions



Honorable Mention – Drawing

Title of Art Piece: Hidden Expressions
Category: Drawing – 2022
Student/Artist’s Name: Brooks Whitman
School: Lathrop High School
Grade: 9th
Artist Statement:

I enjoy using charcoal because it’s messy, and for most of my charcoal pieces, I use them to express mental imperfections that others may not be able to. There are many mental health issues out there that are never addressed because people think they’ll be judged or ridiculed. This piece shows a blindfold over a woman’s eyes which to me is a form of hiding. I’ve always felt that you can tell a lot about a person from their eyes, and the blindfold being placed there represents the attempt to hide the imperfections beneath it. I made this piece within a fifteen minute time period. I wanted to do something quick, but something that made me feel something when I looked at it. My hope is that when people see my piece, they feel what I felt when I made it.

Artwork Dimensions: 22 inches high x 19 inches wide
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Original Images
http://artalaska.org/wp-content/uploads/gravity_forms/43-86be3940bf5ebab5728a18094bf15113/2022/04/Hidden-Expressions.jpeg

Self-Portrait

Title of Art Piece: Self-Portrait
Category: Drawing – 2022
Student/Artist’s Name: Sophia Watkins
School: West Valley High School
Grade: 11th
Artist Statement:

Instead of a self portrait in pencil I tried the technique of pointillism for a challenge. I used cardstock and sharpies for the work.

Artwork Dimensions: 8.5 x 9.5
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Original Images
http://artalaska.org/wp-content/uploads/gravity_forms/43-86be3940bf5ebab5728a18094bf15113/2022/03/Sophia.jpg

Antler, Flowers, and Shell


Title of Art Piece: Antler, Flowers, and Shell
Category: Drawing – 2022
Student/Artist’s Name: Yuliya Barashkina
School: Wasilla High School
Grade: 11th
Artist Statement:

In this drawing, I took deep inspiration from an artist named Georgia O’Keeffe. I enjoy looking at her art because she uses nature as her main inspiration for her art and I can relate to that. Nature is something I care about a lot and hopefully my artwork can show off certain parts of nature that I find to be beautiful, as well as spread a message about the importance of nature.
What I liked about drawing this piece was discovering new methods to draw things. I feel that no matter how long an artist has been involved in making his artwork, you can always find new ways and methods to make things a lot easier.
Overall, drawing this was a delightful experience. It helped me discover new methods in drawing and helped me a lot with my shading. It was also nice to draw something I truly care about and that is nature. I am hoping my artwork can at least touch someone’s heart and make them see the same thing I do when it comes to nature.

Artwork Dimensions: 11" wide x 8.5" tall
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Original Images
http://artalaska.org/wp-content/uploads/Antlers-Flowers-and-Shell.jpg

Chief Sitting Bull


Title of Art Piece: Chief Sitting Bull
Category: Drawing – 2022
Student/Artist’s Name: Analea Rexford
School: Wasilla High School
Grade: 11th
Artist Statement:

I chose to draw Chief Sitting Bull, who was a Lakota leader who led his people through the years of resistance against the US policies against native Americans. He led his people and tried to help them get their freedom back till the day he passed.

Artwork Dimensions: 9" wide x 12" tall
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Original Images
http://artalaska.org/wp-content/uploads/Chief-Sitting-Bull-scaled.jpg

Walking in the Woods

Title of Art Piece: Walking in the Woods
Category: Drawing – 2022
Student/Artist’s Name: Madison Griffin
School: South Anchorage High School
Grade: 12th
Artist Statement:

This charcoal drawing embodies the unexpectant nature of life in Alaska and its many beasts who roam here.

Artwork Dimensions: 26 inches high X 18 inches long
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Original Images
http://artalaska.org/wp-content/uploads/Walking-in-the-Woods.jpg

Inner Darkness

Title of Art Piece: Inner Darkness
Category: Drawing – 2022
Student/Artist’s Name: Madison Griffin
School: South Anchorage High School
Grade: 12th
Artist Statement:

This charcoal drawing represents a curios lynx, but as many know, you should never try to pet such an animal, for they will tear you up.

Artwork Dimensions: 26 inches high X 18 inches wide
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Original Images
http://artalaska.org/wp-content/uploads/Inner-Darkness.jpg

Within the Pack

Title of Art Piece: Within the Pack
Category: Drawing – 2022
Student/Artist’s Name: Madison Griffin
School: South Anchorage High School
Grade: 12th
Artist Statement:

Wolves are pack animals. I was so draw to create this charcoal drawing because I was feeling out of place in high school, alone, without a pack.

Artwork Dimensions: 26 inches high X 18 inches wide
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Original Images
http://artalaska.org/wp-content/uploads/Within-the-Pack.jpg

Fuel Vs. Fun

Title of Art Piece: Fuel Vs. Fun
Category: Drawing – 2022
Student/Artist’s Name: Madison Griffin
School: South Anchorage High School
Grade: 12th
Artist Statement:

This RAF Typhoon charcoal is based off both my parents being pilots. This was originally a Christmas gift to them, even though they fly passenger and cargo. The air spray from this jets engines was very fun to recreate and the name Fuel Vs. Fun came from my teachers comment on how much gas this takes.

Artwork Dimensions: 12 inches high X 18 inches long
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Original Images
http://artalaska.org/wp-content/uploads/Fuel-vs-Fun.jpg

Too Much

Title of Art Piece: Too Much
Category: Drawing – 2022
Student/Artist’s Name: Clyde Lynch
School: Lathrop High School
Grade: 12th
Artist Statement:

I chose a black and white palette because it shows the highest contrast which I felt describes stress very well. With the explosion being the reaction and the smoke in the background to help fill the composition and show potential stressors.

Artwork Dimensions: 7.5" x 10.5"
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Original Images
http://artalaska.org/wp-content/uploads/gravity_forms/43-86be3940bf5ebab5728a18094bf15113/2022/04/Lynch_Too-Much.jpg

Ryan R.

Title of Art Piece: Ryan R.
Category: Drawing – 2022
Student/Artist’s Name: Abigail Anderson
School: Petersburg High School
Grade: 12th
Artist Statement:

For a portrait drawing project, I was able to find the portrait I would like to draw. The process was to measure out the proportions of the face and then smudge in the medium values with 4B and 6B pencils. Using an eraser, we erased in the highlights. Then with the 4B and 6B pencils, I pushed the shadows and darker portrait areas.

Artwork Dimensions: 9 x 12
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Original Images
http://artalaska.org/wp-content/uploads/gravity_forms/43-86be3940bf5ebab5728a18094bf15113/2022/04/AbiA.jpg

The Charcoal Narcissist

Title of Art Piece: The Charcoal Narcissist
Category: Drawing – 2022
Student/Artist’s Name: Finn Drury
School: Eagle River High School
Grade: 11th
Artist Statement:

My name is Finn Drury. I am a Junior attending Eagle River High School, in Mr. Bera’s art course. This is my charcoal self-portrait, completed December 14th, 2021. A midterm final of sorts, “The Charcoal Narcissist” is my best piece to date. I spent hours measuring, sketching, drawing, erasing, and re-drawing. Consequently, this piece required hours of looking at reflection, earning it such a dramatic title.

Artwork Dimensions: 16" x 20"
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Original Images
http://artalaska.org/wp-content/uploads/gravity_forms/43-86be3940bf5ebab5728a18094bf15113/2022/04/FinnDrury.jpg

Anxious

Title of Art Piece: Anxious
Category: Drawing – 2022
Student/Artist’s Name: Clar Joaquin
School: Sitka High School
Grade: 10th
Artist Statement:

Many people struggle with anxiety, but few people talk about it. The concept of unspoken anxiety inspired me to express my deep feelings by channeling my thoughts into a creative process that resulted in this drawing that I created using graphite and paper. Those of us dealing with anxiety feel vulnerable, exhausted, and scared, which often leads to us figuratively covering our faces in fear.
I wanted to portray this feeling of having a spotlight on you, where all people are watching you and judging you in every single thing you do. In times of anxiety, an overwhelming feeling of isolation covers me, this leads to feelings of helplessness. The impacts of this deadly pandemic have negatively affected our mental health, increased concerns that we already have around school and have certainly slowed down our ability to participate in social events.
The purpose of this work is to bring awareness to anxiety and it is my hope that it will make people feel that they are not alone.

Artwork Dimensions: 9' Wide x 12" High
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Original Images
http://artalaska.org/wp-content/uploads/gravity_forms/43-86be3940bf5ebab5728a18094bf15113/2022/04/Anxious.jpg

El Paso Home

Title of Art Piece: El Paso Home
Category: Drawing – 2022
Student/Artist’s Name: Sydney Burton
School: Valdez High School
Grade: 11th
Artist Statement:

Four pieces of silent views during my trip to El Paso, Texas

Artwork Dimensions: 6 inches wide x 8.5 inches tall
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Original Images
http://artalaska.org/wp-content/uploads/gravity_forms/43-86be3940bf5ebab5728a18094bf15113/2022/04/syd.burton.jpg

Sentimental Still Life

Title of Art Piece: Sentimental Still Life
Category: Drawing – 2022
Student/Artist’s Name: Paige Baggen
School: Wrangell High School
Grade: 11th
Artist Statement:

Sentimental Still Life (Drawing)

As a deeply sentimental person, I have spent my entire life accumulating a copious amount of stuff. My walls are covered in photographs, drawings, and birthday cards; my drawers are packed with childhood art projects, journals, and letters; and my windowsills are lined with books, figurines, and plants. As a result, I had no shortage of subjects when I began searching for something to draw. I rummaged through my room, picking out objects that represented my favorite memories, stories, and people. An onlooker probably finds little to no personal significance in the objects that I selected. However, to me, this image is a snapshot of all the memories that I have made with my friends throughout my life.

Artwork Dimensions: 9 Inches high x 12 Inches Wide
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Original Images
http://artalaska.org/wp-content/uploads/gravity_forms/43-86be3940bf5ebab5728a18094bf15113/2022/04/Sentimental-Still-Life-Drawing.jpg

Tutti Frutti

Title of Art Piece: Tutti Frutti
Category: Drawing – 2022
Student/Artist’s Name: Jerika Sy
School: West Anchorage High School
Grade: 12th
Artist Statement:

In first grade, I used oil pastel in art. It was just like playing. I did not worry about blending. It feels good because the strokes you make are very smooth. It was fun.

For this project, I learned to properly blend using my fingers. It was icky but I still enjoyed it very much, especially if I see that I am getting the shade I need.

Cubism is the style I applied here, as assigned by my art teacher, Ms. Wall. Some parts are fragmented, but do not appear to be abstract as my subject is simple – just fruits.

I like eating fruits, I like drawing fruits, I like the colors. The colors represent the hues I lean towards – intense and radiant yet soft and light at the same time.

My intention is to create something uncomplicated, just something easy on the eye, and healthy.

Artwork Dimensions: 18" x 12"
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Original Images
http://artalaska.org/wp-content/uploads/gravity_forms/43-86be3940bf5ebab5728a18094bf15113/2022/04/IMG_9350.JPG