Thank you to all of our participants! We received some amazing, inspirational, and creative artwork this year. The top three winners for this year are as follows:
1st Place
“Wearing”
“Wearing” (2018). Mixed media: pencil, pen, cigarette ash, borrowed makeup.
– Ace Walton
2nd Place
“Blanks (or, Untitled)”
Who and what defines us? Our families, our community, our culture, our biology, our selves?
This collection of eight androgynous, felted wool figures is an exploration of these questions and a contribution to the larger, ongoing dialogue about identity. When we come into this world, we are named by our guardians. In this simple act of naming-by-other is the course of our identity already charted — or, even unintentionally co-opted? When, if ever, do we claim our right to define our individual identity, examine its definition, and possibly refine or change it over time?
Today, personal identity is having its rightful day in the sun. Many of us are taking back from society, culture, or other perceived authorities, our definition of who we are at the most fundamental level, and how we want to present to the world. We are human, and perhaps we should leave it at that until we have experienced the world firsthand, have responded to it, and have made some sense of it. Enough so that we can say, “I am _____” — and then fill in the “blank” — or, even draw the conclusion that “I am.” is a complete sentence in and of itself.”
– Kim Buchheit
3rd Place
“the relationship”
The Relationship
– George Strasburger
