Laura, 2000

pencil/charcoal on paper
31.25 x 28.75 cm
Year 10, Chevelier College, Burradoo

Self-portraits. It's a strange phrase. People cringe when they hear it. They want to hide and deny all thoughts about self-realisation. Much is the same in a high school art class, except we all have to deal with the added bonuses of acne and psycho hormones. You could almost hear the shock and horror spread across the room as the teacher came around with mirrors, everyone trying to deny the reality of their reflection. The results were interesting, as the plastic surgeon inside everyone was revealed. If any uninitiated person came in and judged our class appearance they would consider us all supermodels... cheeks sucked in, pimples erased and noses suddenly smaller and straighter. The thing about drawing yourself is you create your own reality and for most people this doesn't include double chins, bags under eyes or acne. So, this is me. You have a pretty honest opinion of me, that is, if you add ten kilos and twenty pimples.

Headspace 1