Lauren Plonski, grade 12, “Afraid of the Light,” colored pencil & graphite, 14×11 in.
This piece combines the artist’s knowledge of anatomy with her surreal imagination. Layer 1 consists of a thorough anatomical study of the human skull and ribcage. When adding the second layer of work on the duralar, the piece comes alive with technicolor skulls, shapes, and bubbles juxtaposed with a quickly melting candle sitting on the crown of the original skull reminding the viewer of mortality once the initial excitement over the bright colors and shapes gives way to symbols of lost time and death.