From when I could barely walk, I was encouraged to draw and paint as I desired. My parents would hang up crisp white stock paper on the wall, put a crayon into my hand, and applaud when I presented my newest masterpiece. There are photos of me drawing in the bathtub with soap that doubled as paint, pushing dried beans across a small tray to create faces, and scribbling on my arms with a sharpie. As a child, and now, I find solace in art, whether it be paintings, photographs, or movies. Art, specifically visual art, provides me with a sense of self-expression that I cannot write down or speak. I find inspiration through the works of people like Paula Rego, who skillfully created a set of pastel drawings titled, “The Abortion Pastels”, to convince the Portuguese government to loosen up abortion restrictions. She has inspired me to put deeper meaning behind my paintings and possible societal issues I feel strongly about. My art has also been deeply influenced by photographers like Sebastião Salgado and Vivian Maier, who candidly capture the world around us. I’m drawn to the joy-filled sculptures of American artist Nick Cave; whose art allows you to ascend into parallel universes. Through the wide variety of influences that sporadically impact my art, I believe that it effectively allows me to portray my identity. In a time where speaking up and voicing your opinions has become more controversial, and even at times dangerous, I hope that through my art, I will be able to create a platform that allows me to express myself freely. I want my art to serve as an inspiration for individuals everywhere--to feel seen, heard, and inspired to engage with the world around them thoughtfully.

-Abbie Ahn