Michael Kienzle

"The Traditional Room" spoke to me about the erosive impact of tradition, societal expectations, and even self-doubt on individuals and the larger community. I could feel the physical and emotional weight carried by the disciples of tradition. I wanted my response to reflect this feeling of heaviness. I created the image (The Weight) as a digital drawing that started with a black-and-white photograph of jagged, sloping rock. The superimposed lines and other elements increase in density moving from top to bottom to suggest compression and gravity. The second image (Bathers) is also a digital drawing that I had made previously based on a Matisse piece. When I read the story, particularly the ending, I thought of my drawing and how it projected a sense of joy, freedom, and lightness.