Los Altos High School’s visual arts department transformed the student services building into an art gallery with its end-of-semester art show last Wednesday, December 11 to Friday, December 13. Students had the opportunity to look around different works to admire their peers’ projects with the showcased pieces, from a variety of skill levels across all nine visual art classes.
For those who missed the art show, here are some featured works.
“The Very Hungry Caterpillar” by Eric Carle is a classic childhood book engraved in junior Isabel Lee’s young memories. Her past experiences bridge her to the present — now her future is next. “Unfold” captures the process of growing up, portraying anticipation for what the future holds in Isabel’s journey.
To align with her piece’s focus on the idea of her future and past, Isabel meticulously incorporated visual symbols into a composition that suits her artistic reflection.
“This piece is one of my favorite pieces I have made this year in AP studio art,” Isabel said.
In a juxtaposition of an autumn heat wave and a cool room, senior Owen Lee captures the hazy dizziness of stepping outside to a hot day from an air-conditioned space. The contrast between the smooth interior and the rough exterior heightens said juxtaposition.
“I remember taking this piece from sketch to a painting pretty quickly,” Owen said. “Looking back, the first painting I made for this class feels extremely slow in comparison.”
An egg cracks open to not life, but a skull. A knife cuts open pens, not a steak.
Sophomore Maxwell Lynn hauntingly depicts the global struggle for food — in quality, availability, and accessibility. Food, a necessity we may take for granted, is a luxury for many. There are dangers in such restricted availability in substantial foods. With layers of symbolism that alludes to the nature of food insecurity, Maxwell tells a story unknown to most.
“I enjoy drawing things that have meaning, that represent something larger, even if only I know the intended message,” Maxwell said.
There are fragments in reality. There are fragments in identity.
Perception morphs reality and identity. “The Beauty of Perception” explores the nature of Junior Claire Ge’s everchanging identity. With experimentation of different compositions and creative liberty, Claire embraces “the transient, multifaceted essence of simply being.”
“There’s more darks compared to light, increasing the contrast, which helps to communicate the contradictory feel of life,” Maia said.
Student life is not still. We try to grow, we try to know who we are, we try to see where we belong. Amidst all the change and frenzy, the subject in the photo piece sits and takes it all in. In a deliberate process of traditional photography called dark room printing, Maia controls a striking reminder of student nature.
These are just a few of the projects that were featured this week. Even if you missed last week’s gallery, check out next semester’s art show for more student creativity in the visual arts department.
