gouache and watercolor;
18×12”
“My piece “Kick Me!” is about bullying and punk culture. The main subject is a portrait of me doing the Pledge of Allegiance. There are several pop culture references towards punk bands, including Descendants, Green Day, and Bad Religion. These bands are all bands that encourage and normalize social defiance, which has led to many riots and revolutions for all people over the course of time. The underlying theme of social defiance is highlighted in the expression of the subject’s face, which is frowning while looking over her shoulder. The subject stands in front of an alleyway wall, further displaying the idea of isolation as a result of social non-conformism. To continue with this theme, the punk aspects behind this piece illustrate that teens in today’s society are undermined when they do not conform to society’s expectations, whether it is in a school setting, or facing the government.”
ARTIST BIO: Keira Fiorito is a grade 11 student at Seton HS studying art under art teacher Marjorie Metz.