NANDY CHAN: Hi, my name is Nandy Chan. I study visual arts at Pendle Hill High School. My body of work is based around the concept of anxiety and insecurity, and how these factors impact the way that we perceive ourselves. My ideas were very drastic. They weren't focused on myself at first, but then I figured that maybe if I did an artwork that was related to me, that I could connect to or something personal to share.

I was inspired by Jono Dry, an African artist that mainly took realistic photos and drew them on graphite paper. The backgrounds of his artworks were very contrasting so I was inspired by the chiaroscuro technique of drawing of light and dark contrast. Tones of black and white was really intriguing to me, and so I decided that maybe it was a technique I should imply and put onto my artwork.

My visual art's teacher showed me an artist, Paul Stowe, and he only used three types of materials which were an 8B graphite pencil, a thin, mono rubber, and a blending stump, which inspired me to only use these materials because I didn't want a lot of materials in the way, and it was easier access too. In the process of making my artwork, I drew an outline of the sketch of my portrait photo and then dwelled into just drawing and shading and just getting the details of my face, hands, my clothing, and the hair.

And the whole purpose of the detail in my artwork was to portray all the small little things that I am insecure about. For example, the pimples, the acne on my face, and things that have to do with temporary insecurities that should not affect me. But personally, it does because it's just a factor that has influenced the way I see myself.

So I realised that I should not be afraid of sharing something like this because since I've gone into artexpress, I realised that it's a mental health-- it's kind of like a mental health awareness I'm bringing up to all the viewers, and I think it's important in this day and age for the youth because many people are struggling to find themselves and to love themself today. And I think it has changed the way I looked at art and mental health, and how it really impacts others to make art.

My advice to students the doing the HSC 2021 is to do something that you're confident about and are willing to share because I think it's really important that people should see your ideas and your creativity. As you see your progress, you're more motivated to finish it and to finish your artwork.

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