Amelia, aged 17
I delved into the concept of how people choose to present themselves in self-portraits, as well as Van Gogh’s mark-making techniques. I feel as though in the current age; people want to show only the best parts of themselves. With mental health in teens becoming a growing concern, the negative aspects that make up a person are more hidden. Unlike Van Gogh, where his bandaged ear – a likely result of his deteriorating mental state – is shown clearly to the viewer as a part of himself, I focus on the positive aspects that make me myself. And yet, the linear marks cascading down with hints of blue suggest it might inevitably creep up on you.