Paige, aged 17
Vincent Van Goghs self portrait was painted following a period of intense emotional and physical suffering, especially after injuring his ear. His painting captures a moment of physical and visible pain. In contrast, my painting expresses quiet, internal grief; the bittersweet joy of a childhood memory now tainted by the loss of my grandmother. My piece reflects a pain that cannot be seen but is felt deeply. Both artworks tell a story of presence, lives that once were and still linger through image. Van Gogh painted a series of self portraits to convey the message of I was here, I mattered, my painting shows she was here, she mattered.