Chennai, India-born student’s self-portrait created with intricacy and precision tackles perception versus reality
Sraddha Karthik, an Indian American student at Sickles High School in Florida has claimed the top Congressional Choice Award in the annual Congressional Art Competition at the Tampa Museum of Art.
US Representative Kathy Castor Tuesday announced the winners of her annual competition where high school students from across Hillsborough County competed for a spot to showcase their work in the US Capitol.
Karthik will be visiting Washington, DC, for the first time to attend the National Awards Ceremony in June 2022. Her graphite drawing “Pensive Gaze” created with intricacy and precision will then be displayed in the Cannon Tunnel of the US Capitol for one year alongside winners for congressional art competitions across the US.
Read: Indian kolam art at US Capitol celebrates power of healing (April 30, 2021)
Her self-portrait tackles perception versus reality: “I wanted to see if I could draw myself as I am and not how I think I am.” She used different shades of graphite to create depth and dimension for her artwork.
Karthik has been drawing since she was seven years old when her parents registered her for an art class. “I don’t have as much time as I used to before high school, but I do try to fit in art as much as possible because it’s really helpful for me to express myself.”
Art will add depth to Karthik’s career in architecture, which she plans to pursue after high school, according to a press release from Castor’s office.
This wasn’t Karthik’s first art competition – she’s been competing in the Salvador Dali Museum annual art competition since eighth grade, and her artwork has been chosen to be displayed every year.
“It was a very talented display of art at this year’s event – this honor could have gone to anyone in the competition!” Karthik said of Castor’s art competition.
Karthik and her family are originally from Chennai, India, and she’s been living in the United States since she was one year old.
“The Tampa Museum of Art provides an incredible venue for one of the top high school arts competitions in the country,” Castor said. “I am grateful to our parents, teachers and especially students who have turned to arts for encouragement and connection as we mend from the pandemic.
“Reflective artwork has been a prominent theme and I look forward to welcoming Sraddha to Washington, DC this summer to represent our talented and diverse community,” Castor said.
Read: Artwork Of Indian American Student To Be Displayed At US Capitol (March 31, 2022)
According to a report issued by Americans for the Arts, arts and culture in Hillsborough County alone generates $433.2 million in economic activity and nearly 15,000 jobs are tied to the industry (pre-pandemic).
Castor’s annual Congressional Art Competition features drawings, paintings, photographs and sculptures. This year, 71 entries were submitted into the competition from 21 high schools from throughout Hillsborough County, 37 of which were chosen to be displayed in the Tampa Museum of Art.
The exhibition featuring the student’s artwork will be on display at the Tampa Museum of Art through Sunday, April 10. For more information, visit their website at: www.tampamuseum.org