Emily Arlington
Progressive Discovery

AwardHonorable Mention

SchoolFirelands High School

CityOberlin, Ohio

TeacherLaura Tawil

InternEmily Whitten

MediumMixed Media

Artist's Statement

My artwork shows the progression of a character with diabetes. It begins with a dark flat figure held down by restraints made of yarn to show how diabetes feels like it holds you back. The next stage shows that after gaining knowledge, symbolized by the canvas-strip books that stand out from the canvas, some of the restrictions fall away. In the final stage, the character is shown brighter and free from its chains and is turned around to face you. This artworks shows how teaching someone about their diabetes can free them and make their life more enjoyable.