*First Place*

Did you notice me?

Mixed Media

By Teresa So

Freshman in Business from Sugarland, TX

Artist Statement: The original idea of my artwork was to use the blue hijab to symbolize a sad acceptance and to capture a connection through the direct eye contact of the woman and the viewer. At the time, I wanted someone to notice how I felt. I wanted to express how I felt alone. Like, no matter how hard I try to be liked, I didn’t belong anywhere. But as I got to know Neha Hussain, the model for my artwork, she told me to become my own best friend.

What does that even mean, you might ask?

To love yourself and to accept yourself, that way you can never feel alone again. My artwork now acts as a reminder to accept yourself instead of relying on the approval of others.

This artwork was made through 300-350 hours of color pencils. I wanted to experiment with how detailed I could go.

*Second Place*

Hold Me

Pencil drawing

By Isabella Barraza

Sophomore in Animal Science from El Paso, TX

Artist Statement: I created this artwork during a live session at a gallery in my hometown as a part of a Women’s History Month event.

Drawing has been a passion of mine since my father could get me to hold a pencil, and I’ve discovered that my preferred subject to draw is the female form.

I perceive beauty in what others may perceive as “imperfections” in the female anatomy.

*Third Place Tie*

Paint

Acrylic Painting

By Alex Sabo

Junior in Biomedical Engineering from Magnolia, TX

Artist Statement:

This work was heavily inspired by Terry Doughty and Yifan Zhang. I wanted to experiment with the dark and statue like style to make the golden focal points really pop. This helped to develop the mysterious feeling contrasted with the hint of vibrance that I was really going after. As I have always been super interested into Native American art, I figured this would be the perfect composition to try my hand at it.

*Third Place Tie*

A Sublime Synthesis

Ink drawing

By Sameeksha Sharma

Senior in Biomedical Engineering from Chelmsford, MA

Artist Statement: If you can’t unpack the meaning of this artwork at the first glimpse, it’s meant to be that way. Let me offer you a hint though. This is a story of little things that are bigger than the sum of their parts—our essence. This is being depicted through a heart, brain, and a strand of DNA. The reason we can contemplate the meaning of this work is due to the synthesis and synergy of so many little things that make us who we are. Living in the world beyond makes us forget about the vast world within. I just wanted to take moment to reflect on the vibrance that defines all of us and gives us the will to mold reality.

*Winner for Best Film*

Mr. Bread & Dr. Cheese in: The Milkman Caper

Film

By Aniket Mohapatra

Sophomore in General Studies from Round Rock, TX

Artist Statement: I wanted to make a black-and-white short film to hone in on my directorial and cinematography skills, as well as a way to bond with my friends and roommates. The film is intentionally ambiguous with respect to the character’s backstories and world, which I find to be an interesting way for the audience to engage with the film as it leaves some aspects of the story open to the audience’s interpretation. The film features a noir visual aesthetic by using black-and-white photography which furthers the ambiguous tone of the narrative. However, at its core: the film has a unique blend of absurd comedy and straightforward action which work together to create a style of film that helped me further discover my sensibilities as a director.