071PAPER CRANES AND BROKEN DOLLSas each object in the scene—from the slightly skewed
decor to the carefully chosen book titles—reinforces
the overall narrative and meaning of the piece.
While symbolic objects can help create meaning in a
work, the most a ecting symbolism is often conveyed
with simple actions and gestures, such as a downward
glance. In Erin McCarthy’s portrait bust, titled Simple
Man, she affectionately depicts her father, Dan, a
devoted fan of Lynyrd Skynyrd and a man who has
valued always the simple things in life. According to
McCarthy, “He is not like most people. He is much
simpler. He hasn’t had grand ambitions for his life. Ifylkdhou won’t
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Fhh“ple Man
wlkdmetimes
whbe judge
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lffy.” Thus,
hthe fi rst
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rdfhfddays with
hhdhback of
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bhdhlffll
Ohdlls, “It’s a
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ohfdbdlcoupled
whhblfhlhlopened
dbhdhhldhaunting
mfhhlrs in the
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phhning the
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Ahlving to
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the future. In looking at this years works,
I see a generation of artists who are keenly
aware of the power of symbols to inspire,
to move people, and to make a di erence. And though
Haverkamp’s son Caspian may be a few cranes short
of 1,000, his portrait is undeniably a poignant symbol
for the fragility of peace in our world.Stricklin, guest writer for the Portrait Society of
America, is a Ph.D. candidate in the history of art
at the University of Pittsburgh. She specializes
in American art, photography, and the visual
legacies of war and empire. She received her
bachelor’s and master’s degrees in the history of
art from Florida State University.you look inside his apartment, you won’t
fi nd much. He doesn’t really own anything.
He is easily pleased with just a can of cold
beer and a phone call from his children.
His humble simplicity of living has allowed
him to walk through life virtually invisible.”
Further, McCarthy says, “Simple Man
walks among us every day. Sometimes
we pass him by. Sometimes we judge
his simplicity as a lack of ambition or
personal drive. He does not consume
attention, but if you look closely,
there is so much to be seen. Every
line of his face will tell a story.” Thus,
her piece, which took home the fi rst
place sculpture award, is both a
portrait of her father and a touching
symbol for the people in this world
who are often overlooked.
If you are not looking carefully,
it can be easy to miss the subtle
symbolic details in a work of art.
This is certainly the case with Alex
Venezia’s portrait of his wife, Divya,
titled Haunting, which won fi rst place
painting and the people’s choice award
this year. While focusing on the beautiful
rendering of his wife seated sideways with
her chin and arms resting on the back of
her chair, you might easily miss the door
behind her, left purposefully ajar.
On this detail, Venezia explains, “It’s a
subtle narrative told through the expression
on her face and body language, coupled
with the symbolism of the slightly opened
door behind her, that eludes to a haunting
memory of one’s past which lingers in the
back of the mind like a door you can’t shut.”
Once noticed, it is impossible not to look
into the slight void at her back, straining
to see what lies beyond the door, while
perhaps at the same time envisioning the
door’s left open in our own minds.
In fact, the world is fi lled with symbols.
As humans we are always striving to
make sense of our world, and symbols can
help us to understand each other and our
shared experiences—our shared hopes for
the future. In looking at this year’s works,4
Alex Venezia,
Haunting, oil, 20 x 16"
5
Erin McCarthy,
Simple Man, plaster,
17 x 8 x 8"5