Elizabeth, aged 14
2025
Oil pastel and oil stick on paper
This triptych is about what it feels like to be unwell and in hospital for a long time. It shows the journey from being in a strange, scary and unknown place to finding a beautiful place where I feel at home and rediscovering my sense of self. This piece was influenced by Vincent van Gogh’s Self-Portrait with Bandaged Ear. His portrayal of himself after leaving the hospital and journey to rediscover himself through art inspired me to reflect on what helped me through a difficult time. A place to escape.
Van Gogh’s figurative, emotional and expressive use of colour and texture inspired my triptych. I was also inspired by Rachel Jones’s bold colours and how colour influences the emotions of a piece. I used the same materials as Rachel Jones to give a sense of texture.