CROSSING BORDERS IN STYLE
SAYURI SUZUKI
Submerged Identity
(Oil and Wax on Canvas)
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This oil on canvas piece was created during my high school years as part of my Higher Level Art project for the International Baccalaureate. The artwork explores the theme of identity, which was the central focus of my final project. To push the boundaries of traditional oil painting, I incorporated candle wax to create the water element, adding a 3D effect that challenges conventional techniques.
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The image depicts a girl—an embodiment of myself—submerged in water. This visual metaphor represents the struggle with identity, where it feels as though it’s beyond one’s control. While the water may appear beautiful, the open mouth suggests a deeper, more unsettling reality, hinting at the suffocating feeling that can accompany the loss of self. The use of wax not only adds texture but also mirrors the underlying message of the piece—how something can seem serene yet carry a sense of entrapment.
In My Mother’s Footsteps
(Watercolor)
This watercolor piece represents my experimental journey into a medium that has always held a special place in my heart. Growing up, I was surrounded by my mother’s beautiful watercolor work on porcelain—a skill she mastered with grace and creativity. Her artistry inspired me from a young age, and this piece is a tribute to that influence.
While still honing my skills, I chose watercolor for this piece as a way to connect with the creative legacy my mother passed down to me. The fluidity and unpredictability of the medium mirror my own exploration and growth as an artist. This piece is not just an exercise in technique, but a personal expression of my desire to follow in my mother’s footsteps, embracing the challenge of watercolor and allowing it to shape my artistic voice.Through this work, I honor the creativity that runs in my family and continue the journey of developing my own artistic identity.