Visual Arts
by Antalique Tran
Antalique Tran is a self-taught digital illustrator and sophomore at Yale University. As a prospective Neuroscience major pursuing an MD-PhD, she currently works as an art studio aide and Peer Wellness Champion. She hopes to bridge together arts and mental health.
Artist’s Statement:
Waves push and pull the body back and forth. Physical and mental exhaustion settle in as the legs, lungs, and mind work endlessly to keep afloat. Though it never truly stops, the sea calms down every now and then, and resurfacing gifts tranquility. The thoughts quell, the body relaxes, and the mind can finally concentrate on something other than simply surviving. I swim in a sea of my thoughts every day, and for a while I was hit repeatedly with one wave of anxiousness and depression after another. That sea has calmed some, and so I go out more, partake in more extracurriculars, communicate more to others that I had been pushing away… basically reclaiming my life. I hope that my surreal digital painting not only captures some of that wondrous feeling—the feeling of resurfacing and getting in that breath of air, the feeling of not just seeing sunlight but being the light itself, and mostly, the feeling of renewal—but also conveys that rebirth is not always permanent. The waves will be in turmoil again, and the body will be forced under. Each cycle brings strength, though, and that is what I hold onto.
Antalique Tran is a self-taught digital illustrator and sophomore at Yale University. As a prospective Neuroscience major pursuing an MD-PhD, she currently works as an art studio aide and Peer Wellness Champion. She hopes to bridge together arts and mental health.
Artist’s Statement:
Waves push and pull the body back and forth. Physical and mental exhaustion settle in as the legs, lungs, and mind work endlessly to keep afloat. Though it never truly stops, the sea calms down every now and then, and resurfacing gifts tranquility. The thoughts quell, the body relaxes, and the mind can finally concentrate on something other than simply surviving. I swim in a sea of my thoughts every day, and for a while I was hit repeatedly with one wave of anxiousness and depression after another. That sea has calmed some, and so I go out more, partake in more extracurriculars, communicate more to others that I had been pushing away… basically reclaiming my life. I hope that my surreal digital painting not only captures some of that wondrous feeling—the feeling of resurfacing and getting in that breath of air, the feeling of not just seeing sunlight but being the light itself, and mostly, the feeling of renewal—but also conveys that rebirth is not always permanent. The waves will be in turmoil again, and the body will be forced under. Each cycle brings strength, though, and that is what I hold onto.
Photography by Avani Kanungo
Avani Kanungo is a senior at Redmond High School. She has been a photographer for four years, focusing on portraits and nature. She loves statistics and biology, hoping to pursue both in college. Outside of school, she is a civil liberties enthusiast, tennis player, and dog lover. She can be found at @avanithebean on Instagram.
Artist’s Statement:
In both sets of photographs, the focus is the light from the sun and the flame. Both represent the renewal of brightness and clarity after darkness.
Avani Kanungo is a senior at Redmond High School. She has been a photographer for four years, focusing on portraits and nature. She loves statistics and biology, hoping to pursue both in college. Outside of school, she is a civil liberties enthusiast, tennis player, and dog lover. She can be found at @avanithebean on Instagram.
Artist’s Statement:
In both sets of photographs, the focus is the light from the sun and the flame. Both represent the renewal of brightness and clarity after darkness.
Hummingbird
Photography by Sterling Yun
Sterling Yun is a Boston-based photographer. He grew up in Bellevue, Washington, and currently studies architecture at Northeastern University. See his work at instagram.com/syunphoto.
Artist's Statement:
This is an Anna’s hummingbird. The species is originally from California, so I was very surprised to find one on a clear spring day in Washington. In fact, despite this photograph being taken outside my house, I haven’t seen this hummingbird since. A lot of birds are transient visitors to our neighborhood - I’ve seen a northern flicker and a Steller’s jay, neither of which are particularly common in suburbs - but this hummingbird stands out to me.
I think nature photographs bring something different into daily life. Even if they’re right in our backyard, it’s the connection to a greater nature that gives us respite from our managed and artificial routines. In one sense then they’re just escapist imagery, but for me it reminds me that there is beauty out there and something to look forward to experiencing.
Photography by Sterling Yun
Sterling Yun is a Boston-based photographer. He grew up in Bellevue, Washington, and currently studies architecture at Northeastern University. See his work at instagram.com/syunphoto.
Artist's Statement:
This is an Anna’s hummingbird. The species is originally from California, so I was very surprised to find one on a clear spring day in Washington. In fact, despite this photograph being taken outside my house, I haven’t seen this hummingbird since. A lot of birds are transient visitors to our neighborhood - I’ve seen a northern flicker and a Steller’s jay, neither of which are particularly common in suburbs - but this hummingbird stands out to me.
I think nature photographs bring something different into daily life. Even if they’re right in our backyard, it’s the connection to a greater nature that gives us respite from our managed and artificial routines. In one sense then they’re just escapist imagery, but for me it reminds me that there is beauty out there and something to look forward to experiencing.
(Featured on this issue's cover)
renewal
by Victoria Hsieh
Victoria Hsieh is a current junior at Bellevue High School who is interested in the intersection of environmental studies, business, and politics. In her free time, she enjoys writing poetry and painting to raise awareness about mental health and other societal stigmas.
renewal
by Victoria Hsieh
Victoria Hsieh is a current junior at Bellevue High School who is interested in the intersection of environmental studies, business, and politics. In her free time, she enjoys writing poetry and painting to raise awareness about mental health and other societal stigmas.