To celebrate our midsummer issue, which is themed around identity, we launched a competition for Plymouth College of Art students to create artwork based on the theme.
And we're very excited to announce the winner: BA (Hons) Illustration student Jua O'Kane.
Editor Alice Snape and art editor Cathy McKinnon chose Juanita's work for capturing the theme of identity in both a personal and a thought-provoking way.
Illustration by our winner, Jua O'Kane
The one-page comic Connection deals with issues caused by growing up surrounded by technology and the impact this has on mental health, and perceptions of love, intimacy and sex
We also chose two incredible runner-ups: Amy Tilsed and Cecily Goff. Well done to all students who submitted work.
Illustration by Amy Tilsed
Amy’s oval shape was inspired by vintage portrait frames. The plants are used to hide the woman in the illustration; whether her identity is made by the plants she owns, or harder to see because of them, is up to the viewer.
Illustration by Cecily Goff
"For my whole life, my mental health, or somewhat lack of, has been a large part of my identity. No, I am not defined by my diagnosis but the way I feel and react to the world around me is a large part of who I am today, medical professionals just gave me a name for it. Some days I’m not sure if I’m ‘me’ and other days I’m not sure who ‘me’ is and if she really exists at all. Feeling trapped in overgrowth, I’m not sure if I’m growing as a person or if my fears and problems are growing and I’m simply accompanying them along the way," says Cecily about this illustration.
You can visit the college's degree show, which is free and open to all, until 21 June. Visit plymouthart.ac.uk
