Grade 12, St. Mary's High School
Ever felt like something is off with life but couldn't tell what was wrong? Maybe something misplaced in an environment you're in? That is what this piece represents.
The world as we know it has taken a drastic measure of changes over the past year. This artwork represents a displacement from a normal living lifestyle and environment. While fish live in water, they are not usually confined to such a small space but rather the oceans; similarly, humans are used to being social and travelling far and wide but are now constricted to their homes. "Stuck Swimming" is about adaptability and change: still living life while balancing the changes occurring in the surrounding world from the influence of a worldwide pandemic.
Another message that can be drawn from this piece is the subject of pollution. Straws and other single-use waste materials can be detrimental to the health of sea creatures. In this piece, the glass is like a lens. The fish are looking outward from the glass at us humans who are the cause of the problem, and inward at the straw which is the effect. The role of humans is to view predicaments such as this one and see the consequences of actions and look for a solution.
For me, I took on a surreal style for this work; something that I could test my skills with by using a different medium than I am used to as well as an unfamiliar style. Stepping out of my comfort zone helped me in growing as an artist, making it easier to complete intimidating/different projects in the future.