PWHS: Senior Self-Portraits

PWHS Senior Miles M. works on his self-portrait.

At Portland Waldorf High School, the Senior year self-portrait addresses one of the core themes of Grade 12: self-reflection.

The self-portrait is one of the culminating pieces of the self-reflective nature of their final year in high school. Seniors are asked to ponder deeply the question of identity: “Who am I? What is my place in the world?” Students are asked to write a proposal for their self-portrait, describing their ideas, concepts, media, materials and timeline. The self-portrait emerges in response to these questions and ideas.

In normal times, students would spend time drawing their own faces from direct observations in a mirror. Unfortunately, this year that wasn't possible with our masks, so photos have become the method of research into their unique countenances. Whether the student chooses to incorporate their likeness in a representational way or not, the process begins with drawing from master portraits, observing the details and proportions of others' faces alongside the direct observation of their own face, and making self-portrait studies and sketches.

Their work reflects their creativity, thoughtfulness and sense of self. Some students reflect their own faces, while others represent themselves through allegory or deconstructed visual metaphors. Some return to a known medium to deepen their skill, while others explore new materials.

We can’t wait to see the finished projects! We’ll be sure to share some of them here on the PWS Blog.