Never too Young to Feel the Pain of Talent: Review of The High School Self-Portrait Show at the Crocker

The concept of the tortured artist is a common theme throughout the history of art. Van Gogh, Pollock, Wojnarowicz, and Kelley were all fantastically gifted people whose artworks are forever cast under the shadows of their personal demons. The idea that one must be motivated by the struggles of life to create a masterpiece is not a very pleasant theory to believe in. But in the end, no one is 100% happy; everyone suffers a little in the journey of life, so the fact that some people can be brave enough to put their suffering on display for the world to see is really quite admirable. I found this to be especially true when on April 17th, I visited the Crocker Art Museum for a look at some up-and-coming adolescent artists in the museum's High School Self-Portrait Show Reception.

With a photo booth, snacks and refreshments, and even a school marching band performance, the night was completely geared toward the students, who I was delighted to see were quite interested in looking at the various art works the Crocker had on display. The show featured over 50 artworks by students from High Schools all over the Sacramento area. As part of the Crocker's Teen Takeover: Spring Break Edition, the show placed emphasis on the use of diverse media by the students as they presented their own self-portraits. As stated on the events online announcement, "Self-expression and technical skill align to present a snapshot of self-discovery."

Now to be perfectly honest, I walked into the show thinking I would see some talented portraits by young artists, which I did. But for whatever reason, I was taken aback by the amount of emotion that the portraits evoked from the viewer. Having just completed (or should I say escaped) my adolescent years, I know perfectly well the amount of angst and pressure that one is bombarded with during this transition between childhood and adulthood. The pressures that one feels are incredible, and this show seemed to encompass all of them at once.

One of the more recurring themes resonating from the art was the fear of the future. The distant gaze toward the right that indicates a look towards what's to come was very common in works by students like Samuel Swanson and Alexis Andrews. With most of the artists being seniors and juniors, they are all preparing to leave the stability of High School and their families, and venture out into a world they know really little about. Do they plan to go to college? Find a job and move out? Do they have endless possibilities, or a few limited options? These questions haunt the mind as one approaches 18, but they certainly make for great subject matters.

The Artist Looking Forward (2014)

by Samuel Swanson

photography

Despite being young, he already identifies 

himself as an artist, showing a clear direction to follow.

Free Flight (2014)

by Alexis Andrews, Folsom High School

copic markers, water color, and ink

The artist is less sure about her future than Swanson, but 

maintains a spirited character as represented by the parrot.

One thing I'm still learning right now, is that before you can make the jump to adulthood, you have to have a strong grasp on identity first. Self-portraits are easily the best method of exploring one's identity. Medium played a huge role in these works. Those who chose photography did so to capture their present reality as seen by all. While those who went with traditional mediums like pastels and paint had more freedom to distort their self-perceptions. Those who chose digital art had even greater power to manipulate their image still. Teenagers carry the burden of believing that their present will imitate their future, so they rush to find their identities and ultimately lose sight of the future altogether. An artist can search all of his or her life without ever truly knowing themselves, so one shouldn't worry so much about doing it at such a young age.

Blau (2014)

by Josiah Davis, Jesuit High School

pastel

He rejects changing his image with the pastel, 

choosing instead to physically distort it with his hands.

Hidden Secrets (2014)

by Courtney Stevens, El Camino Fundamental High School

inkjet colorprint

She feels she that keeps a protective barrier around her, 

so she peels it away to reveal her true self.

The more one struggles with identity, the more damaging it becomes on one's health. Teenagers will constantly deal with making consequential mistakes in order to fit in with their peers. This creates a pain that they keep hidden from the world. The thing about self-portraits is that to show the world your face is to show that hidden pain as well. Some of these portraits, like Eat by Claire Conter, dare to express something that one would normally suppress. In this way, the self-portrait is a healthy practice, as it allows the artist to tell the world that their pain is real, but they are not afraid to look in the face.

Eat (2014)

by Bianca Quiroz, St. Francis High School

photography

The artist's insecurities once forced her to be silent; 

now she leaves that part of her life behind her.

Self Portrait (2014)

by Claire Conter, Folsom High School

colored pencil and acrylic paint

Inspired by the line "the sun is gone, but I have a light" 

in "Dumb" by Nirvana; a song about being different.

It is not an easy thing to reflect on yourself. Looking at these portraits made me remember my own adolescent angst that still lingers from only a few years ago. That these students were brave enough to put themselves out there is very commendable. And as it did with me, the show reminds the viewer that we all struggle with our existence when we're young and that the teenage experience ultimately prepared us to better handle the challenges of adulthood. These young adults are still in the process of that struggle, as I might be as well. But there is no denying the productiveness that comes with releasing one's angst in the form artistic achievement.

High School Self-Portrait Show Reception
Crocker Art Museum at 216 O. St., Sacramento, CA.
Apr. 17, 2014. 5-9 PM.