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Alexa Z ‘26 Earns Prestigious Scholastic Art & Writing National Silver Medal for Photography
Read the interview with Crystal's Alexa Z ‘26 to learn more about her process and where she finds inspiration.
What was the inspiration or spark for this photograph?
I liked the contrast between the clean curves and the figures at the bottom – it provides a good sense of scale without cluttering the image," they shared. The photograph was taken on a foggy day on a bridge in China, a spontaneous moment captured during a family walk.
How much of your process is planned versus intuitive or spontaneous?
For this artist, planning takes a backseat to observation. "I don't plan out anything," they explained. "One thing that I've gained from my experience with art is how to spot interesting compositions quickly, so most of my process involves looking for complementary shapes and angles in my daily life." This intuitive approach allows them to find beauty in everyday scenes.
What do you hope people take away from viewing "Fog"?
Their hope is simple yet profound: "I hope that it creates intrigue."
Are there any photographers, artists, or other creatives who have influenced your artistic journey?
While photography is a less frequent pursuit, this student is primarily an artist and writer. They draw inspiration from a diverse group of creatives including artists Alexander Rostov and Yuming Li, writer Robert Kurvitz, and their friends, who are also generally artists.
What role do you believe art, and photography specifically, plays in society?
Reflecting on the broader role of art, they asserted, "In my opinion, art in all its forms is an integral part of society and the most effective means of expressing concepts and emotion. We as humans are naturally drawn towards art whenever we have the means." They referenced the Chauvet Cave Bear, pictured below, drawn in France around 30,000 BCE, as an example of humanity's innate drive for artistic expression and stylization, a quality they believe photography can also achieve.
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Website Accessibility Statement: Crystal Springs Uplands School is committed to making this website accessible to visitors with disabilities and is continually working to increase its accessibility and usability. We are on a regular basis seeking opportunities to bring all areas of the site up to the same level of overall web accessibility. If for any reason, you cannot access any of the material on our website, please email webadmin@crystal.org and we will work to resolve the problem as soon as possible.