Priya Anand ‘21 has had art in her life for as long as she can remember, yet her true passion for the craft began around age ten when she discovered a “How To Draw 50 Disney Characters” book. Although she started her artistic endeavors at a young age, she hasn’t skipped a beat since. Years later, she continues to be a prominent member of GA’s art community.
Throughout her school career, she has not only demonstrated her artistic talent, but also her own personal beliefs. When asked about some of the inspiration behind her artwork, Priya explained, “Recently, Mr. Love has been pushing us to create art that demonstrates something about ourselves.” Mr. Love, the Upper School Visual Arts Chair, encourages students to demonstrate both their artistic skills and personal sentiments in their work.
While Priya admits that conveying her own views through her artwork has been a challenge, it hasn’t stopped her from tackling some controversial topics. In the efforts of pushing herself to put new meaning behind her artwork, she created a piece on the #MeToo Movement, which she says, “was primarily a response to the appointment of Brett Kavanaugh to the Supreme Court.”
As of now, she is working on an “Unconventional Materials” piece focused on tea. Although it is still a work in progress, she described it as offering “some commentary on British colonialism and involvement in trade.” Judging by her past work, one can only deduce that it will be both thought-provoking and engaging for those who have the opportunity to view it.
Outside of Mr. Love’s class, Priya incorporates her art into other aspects of academic life, such as her Academy Scholars project, which she has been working on for the past three years. Anand elaborates that she is “researching the field of portraiture and creating a series of oil portraits centered on female role models in [her] life.” As she expressed her excitement regarding how this project will turn out, she also gave insight into her creative process with all of her artistic work.
Although she makes it clear that she is “fairly good at staying on top of deadlines in other areas of [her] life,” when it comes to art she turns into a “severe procrastinator.” Yet, while struggling with procrastination in one’s artistic life may sound like trouble, Priya is able to find the benefits of this habit. She explains that “When it comes to portraits… this impractical process has its benefits. I spend so long planning and imagining the final portrait in my head, that by the time I begin, I know exactly where I’m going with the piece.” While Priya’s process may seem unconventional, her work serves as evidence for just how effective it truly is.
When asked about her favorite piece, she was quick to decide on a charcoal portrait she made last summer. However, it wasn’t just the splendid outcome of this portrait that earned her favor, but the experience she had creating it. She designed this piece while taking a portraiture class at the Pennsylvania Academy of the Fine Arts and had the opportunity to work with live models. According to Priya, the model in the charcoal portrait had an “exuberant presence and would always be chatting with students.” Although Priya never got the chance to write down her name, the model left a lasting impression, one which according to Priya, really stuck with her.
Throughout her years at GA, Priya has made her mark on both the art department and everyone who has viewed her impressive work. Although she does not plan on pursuing art as a major in college, she has no doubt that it will always be a part of her life. Regardless of how Priya chooses to put her artistic skills to use after graduating, it is safe to say that a bright future lies ahead for her.
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