As a requirement for her IB Visual Arts class, senior Samantha Feldman submitted a photograph for the Regional Scholastic Art Awards in January. Now, not only has her photo “Glamour Shot” received a gold key, but it has also recieved one of the five American Visions & Voices nominations within the region.
Judges will review her artwork, as well as all other gold key and American Visions & Voices nominations, in New York City as an opportunity for national recognition.
“I was so surprised,” Feldman said. “I really enjoyed that photo, but […] it feels nice to know that other people like it just as much as I do [and they] understand what the message is about and […] respect it.
“Glamour Shot” is a black and white photograph depicting junior William Izdepski wearing eyeliner, lipstick, contour and blush.
“I wanted to make [the photo] kind of a 1950s Hollywood era style portrait,” Feldman said. “Specifically, I was looking at the ones with Marilyn Monroe [because] she was the epitome of being feminine in that time period and she was considered the most beautiful woman. I wanted to give my take on [that] and show how, […] in our day and age, the definition of beauty is changing.”
Feldman said she would dedicate her awards to those who are non-gender conforming, non-binary and transgender, as well as people who challenge stereotypes and identify with their true selves.
“It’s definitely a cruel, hateful world out there,” Feldman said. “I just want [those people] to know and understand that I stand with them and support them. It takes bravery to challenge the societal norms of anything.”
Feldman said she believes every person is beautiful and she wants to capture how much depth human beings possess through her work as an actress and through her artwork, primarily portrait photography.
“There’s a lot of different ways to identify yourself as a person and I really wish everyone in the world can understand,” Feldman said. “But art is a way of understanding […] and knowing, and hopefully, my piece can change someone’s mind.”
According to the Scholastic Art & Writing Awards, those interested in submitting pieces must create an account and upload original art or writing. Then a parent or legal guardian and an educator must sign submission forms and either mail them to the affiliate partner of their region or upload the forms onto their account.
“I’ve never done something like this before, [but] it was a really easy process,” Feldman said. “I encourage a lot of people to do it.”
2019-02-15