linoleum print
“My artwork addresses the social justice issue of gender equality. This topic is personally significant to me because I am a woman, most of my family is girls so I grew up surrounded by women making this a part of my ideals. The border of my artwork is broken glass referencing the metaphor breaking the glass ceiling. There is also part of a girl’s face showing how women are not always fully seen in society. The objects around her are what people see instead, they are stereotypical feminine objects such as a bow, lilies, a butterfly, and a ladybug. It portrays how women are stereotyped as well as their struggles. Corita Kent’s bold color prints inspired the style I used, and Jean-Micheal Basquiat inspired how I incorporated symbolic elements into my artwork. My initial sketch was too detailed for carving, but I improved as I worked. I simplified the design, adapting to a graphic style, which was challenging for me. I also adjusted the balance of white and black for better contrast. Ultimately, the bold black-and-white print conveys a clear, impactful message through its simplicity and medium.”
ARTIST BIO: Molly FITZPATRICK is a student at Summit Country Day School studying art under art teacher Carrie Barnett.