Sarah Ayres's Art Portfolio: Studio Art I

About Me Cover
Sharpie, Wood, and Paint
6" x 9"
September 2012

About Me Trading Card: Protection
Graphite, Sharpie, and Pastel
2.5" x 3.5"
September 2012

Trading Cards Part 1
Mixed Media
2.5" x 3.5" - 9 cards
September 2012

Trading Cards Part 2
Mixed Media
2.5" x 3.5" - 12 cards
October 2012

Francois Skellington
Charcoal
18" x 24"
October 2012

A Charlie Brown Christmas
House Paint
12' x 8'
November 2012

Molly
Graphite
16" x 20"
December 2012

Diffusion
Acrylic paint
11" x 14"
January 2013

Raggedy Shoes
Graphite
8" x 11"
January 2013

Santa's Reflection
Graphite
8" x 11"
January 2013

The Essentials
Graphite
8" x 11"
January 2013

Converse
Graphite
8" x 11"
January 2013

Bottles and Cans
Graphite
8" x 11"
January 2013

Locked Up
Mixed Media
4' x 2'
March 2013

Artist Statement

My sculpture, in any way, isn’t complex or innovative as far as I’m concerned. Its simplicity adds to the factor that it can apply to anyone – ordinary people like you and I. It takes on the shape of a lockbox, damaged and weathered (the texture greatly defines this) holding in life and potential. This is intended because many people, especially teenagers, tend to close off said potential, afraid what others might think. We all like to conform to society because we feel like it’s our only option, it’s a safety net. The chains and nets of my project hold back what we really feel, or what we really think. Why can’t we be true to ourselves without the fear of being judged? It’s time to break open the box.

Wings are the symbol of freedom, our ancestors believed, “…the ability of flight would enable them to escape from the world and leave their problems. Flight opens up a new world in which we are not limited in movement by the ground. It symbolizes the opportunity to get back up and take back control of our new lives.” (Oiras E). Nobody wants to feel grounded or limited. We all carry our respective problems or burdens, and that too is attached to our lockbox. But I think it’s time to grow beyond that. Every problem has its solution, but life doesn’t always work that way. We need to take the matter in our own hands. That’s what I believe.

So whether or not my sculpture is relatable, I hope everyone gets one message across: even if others might ridicule you for being yourself, just know it’s not benefiting anyone if you’re enslaved by the box, a slave to society.