Self Portrait at Four

Miles Tawns

Year 10

School: Perth Modern School

Medium: Charcoal, oil crayons and paint markers on paper

Artist statement: This self portrait represents my journey from childhood to maturity, hence my choice to depict myself as a toddler. My reference image was a passport photo taken when I was four. My facial expression looks fearful and scared – emotions I share now regarding my departure from childhood and innocence. I used charcoal to amplify the negative emotions displayed in the image, enhancing the texture with white conte to create a smooth and ethereal quality to the skin. The main contrast: colourful childlike drawings with an assortment of media and colours, creates a chaotic rhythm to the border of the work.