I’m Ahjorie, a multidisciplinary artist driven by a passion for social justice, personal growth, and empowering women. My artistic journey began with ceramics honouring the human-nature connection, but has evolved to tackle broader social issues. Inspired by the stigma surrounding mental illness, my current project humanizes and amplifies the voices of those affected. Through my work, I aim to challenge societal norms, spark meaningful conversations, and inspire empathy. As an artist and advocate, I'm committed to using my voice to promote justice, equality, and human rights. I strive to create a more compassionate and open-minded world, where everyone's struggles are respected and supported.

I’m a Filipino teen who enjoys being alone. I’m shy around new people but open up once I know them. I hold onto the past and avoid change. My art focuses on how people interact with their surroundings. Inspired by Sze Tsung and Michael Wolf, I captured a downtown view I loved, showing how people live in and affect their environment.

This artwork captures the duality of school life by juxtaposing the structured interior against the boundless exterior. The inside represents learning a routine and the pursuit of knowledge within the classrooms. The outside, in contrast, symbolizes freedom, imagination, and the world beyond academic walls. The dividing line serves as a metaphor for the balance students navigate between discipline and self-expression. Through this contrast, the piece invites viewers to reflect on how these two spaces shape personal growth and identity.

My work looks at the contrast between the warmth of being indoors and the coldness of the outside world. I’m inspired by the peaceful beauty of snowy streets at night, where the cold environment is so different from the warmth and safety of the homes around it. The image of a person walking alone in the snow represents the feeling of isolation we sometimes experience, while the glowing houses show the comfort and shelter we all long for. I’m interested in how the places we are in can reflect our emotions and how they shape our sense of belonging. I chose this subject because it allows me to explore how these two worlds, cold and warm, can feel so different yet so connected.

I explore themes of identity and psychology in my photography. I figuratively interpreted the theme, showing the inside and outside of a person's psyche. My intention with my photographs is to provide the viewer with enough yet not all the information in a scene so that they can draw their own conclusions based on what the image evokes within them. This will be different for every person as we all live different experiences that eventually construct our minds and ways of thinking. My goal with my pieces is to cultivate a sense of uneasiness and curiosity within the viewer, leading them to reflect on their emotions. For the architectural aspect, I utilized doors as gates that confine our innermost thoughts.

I believe every season is beautiful in a unique way. Winter’s ice and snow make it magical, spring is the start of new life, summer is full of bright, beautiful colours, and in autumn, gradients of red, orange, and yellow shade the trees. Throughout this project my idea of what the final product would look like changed multiple times. I knew what I wanted the message to be, and I knew I wanted to have plants represent this, but I didn’t know how I wanted to frame the image. I started looking up ideas; they inspired me to work with Photoshop and blend two images together. I want viewers to leave knowing that although the outside world is big and intimidating, inside, you will always be warmer and more alive.

The photo I took shows the subject sitting by the window, lost in her thoughts as she looks outside. The picture reflects the idea of feeling trapped inside, both physically and emotionally, but also hints at the feeling of wanting to step out into the world and express herself. The soft natural light makes the scene feel calm and isolated. The subject's eyelines are leading out into the colourful and happy outside world while she is “stuck” and trapped inside. I tried to show the contrast in colours and the trapped feelings of gloom, sadness, and envy compared to the energetic feelings of happiness outside. My photo shows how sometimes, looking outside or sharing your feelings can help you break free and open up.

This piece is called "Movement" and it shows the GO train near Lakeshore in Toronto. Despite the shadows, the green stands out, and the yellow tint gives it a warm feeling. Toronto as a whole is the inspiration for this photo.

A very popular method of transportation, the GO train moves people across Ontario, from Barrie to Burlington to Niagara Falls; it keeps Toronto moving. Taking this picture shows the train moving from point A to point B, helping Toronto in many ways. 

Using different editing styles and timing was helpful in my work. My work is positively influenced by this, enhancing my skills as a photographer and artist.

I took this portrait picture of Matthew to show his beautiful brown eyes. I intended to show the theme of inside and outside by making him look outside the window to capture natural light. I chose to set up this portrait of Matthew to capture the natural light from the sun.

I got the inspiration for this portrait from Gregory Crewdson's The Shield, from Cathedral of the Pines. A message from me, the Artist, to the viewers - I'm really proud of how the light from the sun made Matthew's face glow. I really like how the editing made the colours blend together making a really beautiful photo.

My image, DEVI, is a representation of female strength. The figure of Devi, a goddess in Hinduism, is an omnipresent character. Traditionally, Devi is rendered as multi-limbed, representing her power and energy. This aspect has been reproduced in my image. Devi is also a portrayal of nature and its different faces and abilities. Each of her arms has a different hand gesture, each embodying a weapon. The use of long exposure photography was intentional, as it allows for multiple poses in one frame, showing Devi’s control over the boundaries of time and space. My picture of Devi represents how the roots of an individual affect their outlook on the world and their physical actions towards it.

Horror is complicated—it makes you feel insecure, and yet you crave the feeling. As a kid, I despised horror—it seemed an evil concept to me to create media that makes you feel scared. Now, as I am hit with liminal space photography, megalophobia photography, and non-Euclidean geometry, I feel inspired to create something similar. Something about the concept of buildings and structures, seemingly impossible to exist, that seem to serve no purpose other than to unease you, makes me so excited about it. For this project, I decided, for the first time in my life, to delve deep into the horror aspect of photography and the concept of eerie spaces.

I wanted to make something that could be made easily, and I thought of making an image with my friend looking at his clone, who is trying to grab him through a screen. My inspiration was a movie, and there was a scene where the main character was looking at himself in the mirror, and then suddenly his clone from the mirror tried to kill him. That character then ran away.

I am deeply passionate about photography, driven by the desire to capture emotions and stories that go beyond the surface. Inspired by my father’s photographs, I’ve always been fascinated by the power of visual storytelling. My work focuses on portraying raw, unpolished moments, particularly through portraits, where I strive to highlight the subject while allowing the surrounding environment to remain unrefined. This aesthetic helps evoke genuine emotional connections with my audience. The driving force behind my work is my personal journey—how I see the world as a complex, layered space, both internally and externally. Through my art, I hope viewers walk away with a deeper understanding of perception, complexity, and the beauty found in vulnerability.

This photo explores the feeling of isolation, reflection, and the connection between ourselves and the world around us. The foggy glass acts as a barrier, both physically and emotionally creating a sense of isolation and distance. The traced eye shows a desire to see clearly and connect with what’s beyond your own thoughts and feelings. The blurry background adds to the sense of distance, and the soft, cool colours create a calm but thoughtful mood. The photo encourages people to think about the moments where they felt stuck between being seen and being hidden. It reflects the struggle of trying to share our inner thoughts because of the fear of what others may think, but it also reminds us of the beauty in those personal experiences and quiet moments.

The main subject is being captured from a mirror which is showing that there’s an M5 car behind the driver.

I worked the camera to only focus on the car and nothing else. Although filled with a bunch of other things, like the car's interior and what might otherwise be considered distracting, the image shows the viewpoint of the photographer and that the photo was being captured from inside a different car. 

As a person raised in populated environments, I had little regard for the hidden intricacies of the urban world.  As the years passed, I learned more about the unseen meaning within buildings and their design. This, along with self-reflection, became the driving force behind my work and allowed me to develop an appreciation for urban spaces, explore their hidden beauty, and capture them within the lens of my camera. For me, architecture is a metaphor that links space, transitions and nature. My focus, perspective, structure and lighting portray beauty and detail in the environment. As time passes, I hope my work will change how people view buildings, deepening their appreciation for our man-made homes.

My artwork is a mix of many things, I have received a lot of feedback and compliments. My artwork is an expression of me through art.

My art looks unique as there is a tree growing out of my bed. I think colour is the most obvious element of my artwork. I mainly focused on the colour of the tree to stand out compared to the rest of the colours of my room. In order to make this piece, I had to spend a lot of time on the eraser tool to carefully trace the outline of the tree. This piece of art attempts to display the idea that even if something is out of place, it can still be beautiful. In this case, it is the tree in my room.

In this photo, I wanted to express subtle beauty in the irregular. Although the goose looks peaceful, the action of resting on top of the building appears to be an act of resistance. It is in geese’s nature to migrate whenever a building is in the way or not. The goose sitting on the building symbolizes nature competing against an ever-growing mass of human urbanization. Even though the goose is minuscule compared to the large structure, it still is a part of nature and demands respect.

With this work, I wanted to create a feeling of isolation while showcasing the outdoors to incorporate the theme. I created this image by using a long exposure time frame of 30 seconds with a high aperture. It was dark outside, and I did not have a subject, which ended up working well. I needed a long shutter speed to let in more light, and this gave me time to run. Running in at about a third of the time the photo was being taken created a ghostly effect, which I think gave it more of the isolated feeling I was working towards. To represent this solitary feeling, I took advice from my teacher, Mr. Lawrence, and transformed this image to black and white, which gave it more of a timeless feel.

As a small child up until now, I have always loved the arts. This year I learned about photography and the idea that I can capture emotions in a photo. As a teenager, it's hard to share your feelings with the rest of the world without feeling like you are being judged. Recently I had a close friend talk to me about how her life and past interests have drained her recently, whereas she used to love them. I knew I wanted my photo to embrace this idea of the hard world teenagers face. I wanted to make a dark room that felt lonely but had a window to an outside world of love. I want this image to show that no one is ever alone.

My piece Pinnacle of Shadows really represents a scary and uncomfortable set of emotions. The piece shows anxiety, depression, and paranoia. I used shadows around the edges to create the feeling that something could be there just out of sight and watching you. My goal was to cause the feeling of paranoia. The anxiety is shown with the cars driving towards you, making you feel anxious that they might hit you. Finally, and most importantly, depression is shown through the gloomy setting of the photo. There's no happiness or wonder in seeing such a beautiful structure, just feelings of depression.

This piece is about how our thoughts and emotions are connected to nature and the world around us. The “pieces” of someone’s head being separated represent their mind, almost like their thoughts are escaping or being visualized. The images of different parts of nature, like trees, symbolize what might be on their mind/memories, feelings, or ideas inspired by the environment.

My artwork shows someone looking through blinds at a big house with fancy cars in the driveway. It represents how people dream of success but don’t always put in the work to achieve it. I was inspired by how easy it is to admire a goal from a distance instead of taking action. I want viewers to think about their own dreams and what might be holding them back. My message is simple: dreams only come true when you work for them.

I love art that is found in everyday moments, especially those when nature meets city life. This photo shows how rain can turn ordinary scenes into something special. The way the water droplets catch streetlights at night to create amazing patterns that usually go unnoticed. For the car aspect, I was inspired by Bieke Depoorter, who in some of her photos used a car and a human as the main subjects. I wanted to focus more on the outside and how weather and lighting can affect the scene. When people look at my work, I hope that they will start noticing how even a water droplet on a window can be beautiful and begin to start noticing the small things in their daily lives

My name is Ela and this is my photo!

My goal for this picture was to show how people can see themselves a certain way on the inside that is different to how others see them from the outside

The theme for this photo was inside outside so this is inside outside a person.

Throughout this project, I realized that the things and people surrounding me have a lot of internal meaning regarding my feelings.  The art that I make is often pretty and colourful, which reflects me as a person. For my first image, the colours were beautiful, but something was missing. So, when I took the final image, there was much more detail and texture. My favourite season is summer, so when I went away on my trip, I knew I wanted to capture that beauty. I would like viewers to leave behind a sentence of what they thought of my image, or something they admired. I enjoyed working on this assignment and exploring different aspects of an image. I learned many things along the way.

This project is about seeing what’s usually hidden. Inspired by Lori Nix’s detailed interiors and Andreas Gursky’s wide views, I used a dollhouse to capture both the inside and outside of a space simultaneously. By photographing the cross-section, I could tell a story through the rooms and objects that often go unnoticed. I played with lighting, angles, and editing techniques to bring out the details and connect everything seamlessly. I hope my work encourages viewers to think differently about the spaces around them - how every house has its own special items and unique story. There’s so much happening beneath the surface. For me, this project is about perspective: “Stepping back can help you see familiar spaces in a new way.”

When I started this project, I didn’t really understand the topic. But after some time and brainstorming, I finally had an idea. I would connect nature photography, which is my favourite type of photography, architecture, and my love for biking in one photo. 

I knew the perfect spot, a park near Yonge & Sheppard; the picture would be lined up so the tall buildings are in the background, behind the trees. And the subject, who is me, would be in the middle of the photo with my bike, facing away from the camera. 

I’m really happy with the way the photo turned out, and I hope the viewers can enjoy the photo as much as I did.

Some things about me are that I am a simple and nice person. Some of my interests are that I like sports, video games, cars, and music. 

I wanted my artwork to turn out like this because I think this says a lot about me, the things I like, and the things I don't like. My inspiration was myself. I was the one to inspire myself to create this artwork.

My art is a mix of my past and present self, and how my identity has changed over time. I added objects that are significant to me to represent who I am. The driving force behind my work stems from how I often feel tired/lazy, even when life around me is busy. The apartment building in the background represents the busy world, while the flowers sprouting from my body represent hope and life. As the only colourful thing in the image, the flowers stand out and show that even in moments of exhaustion, there’s still hope and growth. I want viewers to leave with the idea of finding hope even in hopeless times.

My name is Gabrielle Bourgeois, I am 15 years old, and have a love for photography. 

For this photo, I got my inspiration from the line in “The Exit” by Canon Grey: “Feels like we had matching wounds, but mine’s still black and blue, and yours is perfectly fine.” This is about a breakup in the song, but in my photo I used it to determine how the subject has grown and moved past her trauma. The black and bruised supposedly refers to the child, and the perfectly fine refers to the grown-up version of said child. This depicts the family trauma the subject has gone through and how much they’ve grown regardless of it being traumatizing and something NO child should have to go through.

I love art, using visuals and storytelling to convey emotion and experimenting with different forms of it. 

When brainstorming, I remembered my best friends. My world lit up when they entered a room. When I was with them, the world around me disappeared, as if it was just the three of us in a bubble. That was my inspiration. I wanted to portray a dark, colourless world and human connection bringing colour and light into it.

My goal is to impact viewers by communicating friendship and connection and how important it is to one’s outlook on the world. I’d like it to inspire others to recognize and appreciate those they have in their life who bring out the best in them and make them feel loved.

My art reflects who I am—bubbly, creative, and always looking for ways to challenge how people see the world. I’m interested in exploring human emotions, the fast pace of modern life, and how we can discover calm in the middle of chaos.

This piece explores how our inner emotions shape the way we perceive the outside world. I was inspired by the contrast between joy and numbness. I used vibrant colour to represent feelings of happiness and peace, while the grayscale reflects numbness, confusion, and hurt. I hope viewers walk away thinking of how their emotions influence their reality, how our feelings colour the world we see.

For my project, I used the theme Inside/Outside to peer in from an external space, photographing interior emotions compared to exterior perceptions made by strangers and society. I found inspiration in photography, exploring human interactions with the environment and with themselves, and aimed to emphasize the way that humans often overlook others. Although a stranger's life may seem insignificant, every person has their own unique experiences that shape them into who they are.

This black and white photo spotlighting individuals in the setting of a library full of people highlights the separate lives that we all live despite being in a shared space. I want this photo to showcase our unique lives and the freedom we have to express ourselves however we please.

In my work, the driving force behind this creation was an urge to experiment with what I learned during class. I was inspired by photography involving reflections on another surface and wanted to explore it with my work, so I chose to overlay a photo of the outdoors onto an eyeball to represent the theme of inside/outside. What I would like my viewers to leave with after seeing my work is to go and enjoy the outdoors and take in the outside because there are beautiful things to see with your eyes!

Most of my interests lie in nature, animals, plants, the environment, weather, how humans can interact with them, and all that. The fact that I can implement my love for them into my pictures is what I love most about photography. So, in creating my work, I thought about how I could bring nature, inside and outside, and architecture together into just one photo. Then it came to me, like, why don’t I use that as my work? Thus, the picture came to life by using window light, the rule of thirds, and reducing the exposure. I learned something while doing this work: there is beauty in nature, and no matter what season, day, or situation, its radiance still shows.

I love eloquently designed architecture, like cathedrals and ancient libraries. Unfortunately, these architectural marvels aren’t very common, so we must turn to appreciating the more simple buildings that are marvelous in their own right. My photography is aimed at capturing seemingly simple everyday things and taking time to look at and appreciate the beautiful things about them. That is why I chose the building that I did. It may not be complete in every tiny detail, but it is a small, elegantly crafted abode in a jungle of modern suburban housing. It's almost like a hidden gem.

In the artwork I created, I wanted to capture the relationships I have with the people in my life. For me, these relationships are built on trust, comfort, and the time we spent together. I love hanging out with my friends because we always end up laughing and joking around. The love and care I have for them are huge. The photos in the piece are a way of holding on to the moments we have shared. I made this project as a gift to them, to keep as a reminder of our memories together. I also wanted the artwork to capture those memories. My hope is that anyone who looks at it feels a sense of calm and happiness.

Before beginning this project, I considered a number of different options. However, after doing some planning and research, I knew what I wanted to do. I want to advocate for mental illness using the theme "inside/outside."

I discovered a fantastic spot that fulfilled my criteria. An outdoor bus shelter that can also be considered an indoor location. It's combined with a fantastic backdrop that complements my idea extremely well.

I am quite pleased with the final result. The image's lesson is to keep going when things get hard.

This photo may just be my favourite photo I’ve ever taken. I love the way it came out. I like how I had so much artistic freedom to experiment and be creative. My final image depicts my friend Alpha with pure, white angel wings with her wrist chained to the sky. The chain breaks at a point, signifying her fall, and even deeper symbolizing her descent from immortal to mortal, as she will no longer be an angel as soon as she hits the ground. The cosmos around her further accentuates how supernatural and out of the ordinary an image like this is, and it improves the overall aesthetic of the image.

My artwork demonstrates how seemingly stable objects like this house may seem unclear and weird. The deformed shape highlights how something might occasionally feel twisted or unbalanced. I intended to create unease and show how our perceptions may shift using twisted shapes, dark colours, and the scratches on the walls. The idea for the theme Inside/Outside was for the outside to have some type of animal that surrounded the house and the two guys that thought they were stuck inside the house, but in their world they were just looking at the windows and doors inside of a school. The distorted walls and windows represent how we think of our deepest feelings, ideas, or challenges. It shows how the interior and exterior are connected, affecting both worlds.

This photo is a small part of a larger photo series that explores the hidden beauty and unique stories within Toronto’s architecture. I approached this project with curiosity, capturing the textures, lines, and details that often go unnoticed by Torontonians. For each of the eight locations I photographed, I included both a close-up and a wide shot. The close-up captures intricate details of the building, while the wide shot shows how it interacts with its surroundings, environment, and, most importantly, the people who use it. While we easily recognize the “outside” of these buildings, we rarely appreciate the “inside,” the unique details that make up the whole. Through these images, I hope to spark curiosity and a sense of wonder about the world around us.

I’ve been passionate about art since a young age, and I use my art as an outlet for my creativity and emotions; it’s like a way for me to channel my inner turmoil into something that I can share with people. When I first read the theme, I wanted to create something abstract with a covert meaning behind it. I think it’s interesting when photographers create intricate photos that have multiple themes behind them, so I wanted to have a simple composition that can be interpreted in a variety of ways. My goal is to leave viewers feeling uncomfortable confronting this unsettling feeling of isolation and solitude but also reassured knowing they’re not alone.

I am a Grade 11 student who, outside of school, participates in competitive figure skating and competes at the provincial level. Additionally, I enjoy taking photos of my dog, painting, sewing, making sculptures, etc., and creating eye-catching art.

The driving force behind the creation of my work was to describe the academic life of a student, as many students can relate to feeling overwhelmed from schoolwork.

My goal is for my viewers to look at my image and interpret my work in their own, unique way. Furthermore, I want my viewers to understand that there is always a finish line for daily activities.

There are many ways in which my art can be understood and viewed, in both a literal and metaphorical sense.

I’ve been passionate about art since a young age, and I use my art as an outlet for my creativity and emotions; it’s like a way to channel my inner turmoil into something I can share with people. When I first read the theme, I wanted to create something abstract with a covert meaning behind it. I think it’s interesting when photographers create intricate photos that have multiple themes behind them, so I wanted to have a simple composition that can be interpreted in a variety of ways. My goal is to leave viewers feeling uncomfortable and confronting the unsettling feeling of isolation and solitude, but also reassured knowing they’re not alone.

With the theme being “Inside/Outside,” I didn’t want to simply capture the obvious as a comparison between two binaries. With this diptych, I captured multiple binary differences: light and dark, yin and yang representing good vs. evil. No matter how good things are, there is always darkness and vice versa. The third binary is nature vs. mankind, portrayed by the grid net patterning encasing a singular twig, compared to the other side where we have human-made objects. Overall, through this diptych, I wished to capture the inside/outside theme by combining many binary differences.

Ghost of Freedom is a photogram  made by placing objects on photographic paper and exposing them to light. The shadow cast by the objects leaves the paper white, and the parts exposed to the light become black.

Two images - one of a skeleton and the other of the Statue of Liberty were layered on top of each other to create a united,  X-ray-like image that reveals the skeleton of a symbol of freedom. 

As I was creating this photogram, I tore holes in the image of the skeleton, letting light pass through, allowing certain areas to have darker tones. This effect makes the photogram more visually appealing and reveals the skeleton as the facade of the Statue of Liberty deteriorates.

For this project, I created a piece that portrays a journey, travelling, and exploration. I wanted to show that an individual can create their OWN reality of exploration, and that it is within their grasp and control. 

I used multiple exposure and contrasting techniques to show that anywhere in the world, you can find your own sense of ‘home’. The inner palm, or ‘the heart’ represents where an individual is from or what they interpret as home. As the lines move outward, we see limitless potential. 

My goal for this project was to make it as relatable as possible. Many people can feel lost or have no sense of direction, and this piece shows that anything and everything is possible. All is within your reach.

My work focuses on everyday spaces like houses, schools, and streets. I’m interested in how these places can hold emotions and tell stories. I look at details we often miss, like light coming through a window or the feeling of a quiet hallway. These small things show the connection between inside and outside spaces.

I was inspired by photographers like Bieke Depoorter and Gregory Crewdson, who tell personal stories through their work. I use light, shadows, and framing to highlight the beauty of these spaces and how they make us feel. I hope my photos help people see the meaning in simple, familiar places and think about how spaces shape their lives.

I wanted to reflect on how I feel at school versus at home, specifically in my room. I feel safe and warm in my bedroom, and I am most comfortable and productive there, which I reflected in a warm filter over the image. I compared this with the high anxiety I tend to feel at school, which I tried to reflect in the colder filter.

Through my photography, I strive to uncover the intricate relationships between people, nature, and the spaces they inhabit. This piece features my cousin, blending her portrait with elements like a maple leaf, a tranquil lake, and a fox—each representing facets of her personality and her connection to the natural world. Inspired by the harmony between human identity and nature, I experiment with transparency, layering, and composition to reveal deeper stories. My goal is to evoke curiosity and reflection, encouraging viewers to appreciate the layered beauty and complexity that exists in both individuals and their surroundings. By merging human and natural elements, I hope to inspire a sense of wonder and a renewed perspective on the world.

My photo was inspired by Rinko Kawauchi’s dreamlike style because it connects to me on a personal level. I love romanticizing the ordinary, finding beauty in simplicity and everyday life, but I know that the world isn't always so beautiful. No matter how many filters you use, life’s difficulties remain. To me, this photo represents my internal world—empty and always clouded.

I used Photoshop and a collection of photographs to make this art piece. Andreas Gursky and Greg Girard have inspired me to create this work with their use of architectural pictures and how they transmit a sense of loneliness. I wanted this piece to give you, the viewer, a feeling of isolation and especially leave with the message to stop being a spectator and start interacting and living your life. Do not stay too long in this building called the comfort zone, or it may begin to crumble, and it will be hard to get out. I learned a lot about Photoshop transform tools, especially the distortion tool, to make a lot of the background and lighting. Overall, I'm happy with the result.

My piece captures the contrast between interior and exterior spaces. The wooden door frame and the brick wall represent the structurally sound and protective boundaries of the home, and the glowing light streaming through the open doorway symbolizes warmth and invitation. I want viewers to know that this photograph shows that crossing from one space to another can be a moment of change. It reminds us that stepping through the border between the unknown requires courage that we shouldn’t be afraid to show.

Description goes hereI like reading, writing and photography. I like to tell stories with my art, whether it’s words on a page for photos on an SD card. The driving force behind this piece was my relationship with my little sister. This picture is a peek into our world. I staged this photo using objects I associate with her. After you contemplate my work, leave knowing how I see my sister: as a brilliant and captivating teenage girl who loves to dance, cook, and accessorize. The way she’s looking at the camera is how she always looks at me. Like she knows every part of me as easily as she takes a breath. To my sister, if you’re reading this, I hope it made you cry.

For this project, I chose a place that has had a huge impact on so many people: the 9/11 Memorial. I was lucky enough to visit it during a trip to NYC, and it was my first time seeing it in person. Until then, I’d only seen pictures and, of course, heard about the tragic events of 9/11. The memorial is really beautiful: two 70-foot-deep square fountains with twin waterfalls flowing into each other. I took my photo at the South Pool on a day when it was lightly raining, and I loved the way the raindrops looked on the bronze parapets, which list the names of the victims from 9/11 and the 1993 World Trade Centre bombing. The memorial’s design really captures the idea of inside/outside, because the pools go 70 feet into the ground while also being outside.

My photo was inspired by the aching nostalgia tied to my hometown, Hanoi Vietnam. Toronto’s Chinatown slightly resembles Hanoi through its worn-down architecture, busy streets, and timeless charm. This diptych presents a supermarket’s interior and exterior, which made me reminisce about the supermarkets back home. This bittersweet nostalgia connects me to the past bringing up emotions that are comforting yet empty; reminding me how the moment can never return.

With this image, I encourage viewers to reunite with their memories and seek familiarity in mundane places like a supermarket. Furthermore, I hope viewers will also take pride in their culture, wherever they may come from.

Hey, I’m Mya! I like photography, reading, and dance. I love using my art to explore themes of mental health. My idea for this piece was the duality of the way people genuinely feel and how they tend to hide it externally. The right side of the image represents the internal aspect; it’s sad and moody. The left side represents the mask; it’s supposed to look happy. I think a lot of people struggle with hiding their true selves—whether it’s how they feel or how they express themselves to the world.

This project has driven me to go past reality and explore more than what is. Through this photograph, I have successfully merged our reality with that of which we dream. I have been inspired by the film Inception, which explores the boundaries between the subconscious and reality. This goes hand in hand with the theme of this project, inside/outside. My image blurs the boundaries of reality by merging what is and what a dream looks like. The inside of your subconscious reality/dream gets mixed with the outside reality of the world, creating a complex photograph with meaning behind it. My image makes one question reality, and all who view it leave with a new perception of what is and what can be.

My name is Neil Ayson. I love listening to music, and basketball is my favourite sport. My inspiration is simple. It comes from a character in a movie opening a door, and it's just quiet and peaceful. The context behind my photo is dreaming that I wish I had better things for me and my family. A message that tells them to pursue any dream you have. People will be pulling you down, but you have to get up.

I like seeing things that glow. Whether it’s the stove light glow from making a late night snack or the glow from the sun that shines through the leaves, I love incorporating it into my work. For the visuals, I was inspired by animated media like Arcane and Spider-Man: Beyond the Spider-Verse; they’ve been a big inspiration for much of my art. 

For this piece, I was inspired by my feelings and thoughts. Although it may seem that you’re the only one, isolated and cramped with your emotions, you’ve never been alone in the experience of growing up. These feelings are more than universal; hence, the star. Hopefully, people looking at the photo get this message: you’re not alone.

For my inside and outside project, I took a photo from the interior of a window pointing to the exterior. My photo is artistic, beautiful, and creative. This photograph shows how I’m able to create images and make textures and patterns through a window looking out. 

The two people who inspired me were Rinko Kawauchi & Boris Mikhailov. They inspired me because they shoot photos from angles that make their work look mysterious and interesting.

My name is Patrick Bartha. Some of my interests are playing video games and going to the gym. I also really like to play basketball with my friends. My inspiration for this artwork was Gregory Crewdson. I really like how he used real people for his projects, so I decided to use people for my project as well, and I really do like how it turned out. It is just how I imagined it to be. The meaning behind the photo is that when I’m alone, I am lonely because I don’t have any siblings, but when I’m in school, I have a lot of friends to be with and talk to.

My name is Samuel Iseghohi. I am a grade 10 student at William Lyon Mackenzie High School. I enjoy playing basketball and football and also enjoy spending time with friends, which gives me so much creativity. This is me playing basketball in a unique setting, indoor and outdoor spaces combined. From a creative YouTube video, I reimagined the concept in my own style. With the help of different poses, good visuals, and a touch of imagination, I wish for the viewers to see the passion and individuality that create my work.

In this photograph, the contrasting elements of urban architecture and the living presence of my pet dog named Junior, create a compelling narrative. Captured from a low angle and Dutch tilt, Junior peeks out of an open window on the highest floor of this house, inviting viewers to contemplate the world beyond. The textured brick blends quite well with the object’s soft fur and adds depth to the composition. The open window, which symbolizes freedom and curiosity, while the dog’s inquisitive gaze reflects an intimate connection with the environment. This image explores things such as isolation and exploration, highlighting the bond between humans and their pets, even amidst rigid structures.

I knew that I wanted to include nature in my creation. I find that working with it when it comes to image editing is very easy and comes naturally. I also just love nature in general.

My name is Sebastian. I have glasses, and I'm allergic to peanuts and tree nuts. I like playing soccer, frisbee, basketball, and baseball; I like to play video games; I like science; I'm half introverted and half extroverted; and I like to listen to music. I didn't have any inspiration for my artwork; it just randomly came to me. The driving force in my work was to make something random and cool. I want my viewers to think my picture is interesting and somewhat outside the box.

For this project, I created a piece that portrays a journey, travelling, and exploration. I wanted to show that an individual can create their OWN reality of exploration, and that it is within their grasp and control. 

I used multiple exposure and contrasting techniques to show that anywhere in the world, you can find your own sense of ‘home’. The inner palm, or ‘the heart’ represents where an individual is from or what they interpret as home. As the lines move outward, we see limitless potential. 

My goal for this project was to make it as relatable as possible. Many people can feel lost or have no sense of direction, and this piece shows that anything and everything is possible. All is within your reach.

This art piece explores the importance of human emotion and how the outside appearance of a person can be different from their internal emotions. The person smiling in the front shows them being happy and joyful, while the same person in the background portrays the hidden truth, showing the sad emotions under the happy face. This art piece invites the viewers to question the validity of a person’s external expressions and to consider the feelings you don’t see.

As a younger brother, I’ve grown up observing my siblings’ mistakes and learning from them, a skill I’ve carried into my art. I often watch and learn from others, applying these lessons creatively.

This piece reflects the experience of being alone and letting the mind wander. Inspired by my quiet winter moments, it contrasts the warm, orange and pink lights indoors with the cold, snowy scene outside. The setting evokes a cozy, nostalgic feeling, emphasizing those peaceful, reflective times.

Through my work, I hope viewers feel a sense of quiet reflection and connection to solitude. I want them to understand that even in isolation, there’s beauty and value in being alone with our thoughts.

In my work, I like to focus on human emotion and environmental connections. I am interested in how outdoor spaces and architectural environments have an impact on humans. I want to focus on isolation and strength and the quiet times when individuals look back at their internal feelings and reflect them onto their environments. 

The photographs I have seen from my research were meaningful. I chose this image because of the lighting. The setting I chose was nature-based because it shows natural bright light. I want my work to have an impact on viewers and inspire them to reflect on their own emotions. By reflecting, I want others to see the connections between themselves and the world.

My artwork, The View Inside, is a photo that shows a window where the viewer looks into a room. Outside items represent the contrast between one’s inner self and external persona. The colourful room represents the inner self, while the dark and monochrome outside shows the exterior persona. I used Photoshop to layer images and add colour to the artwork. Emphasis and contrast are principles shown as the dark outline emphasizes the coloured room. My artwork was inspired by James Nizam and Rinko Kawauchi.

I used visual storytelling to show how judgment and hate can come from anyone and anywhere. This style highlights the subject's loneliness, emphasizing the contrast between inner thoughts and outer events. The main subject's focus conveys the feeling of being lost in a sea of anonymous judgment. I want audiences to take away from this photo and have a deeper understanding of the emotional effects of group judgment. My goal is to make people think about how they judge others and inspire kindness and care in how we treat each other.

Hi, my name is Terrance Truong. I am a grade 10 student that goes to William Lyon Mackenzie High School. I like to play basketball and listen to music. The thing that made me want to do this was that I really enjoy cosplaying as a skeleton, and I wanted to become one, and this project allowed me to do that, which I enjoyed. My inspiration was a skin in Fortnite named Skull Trooper, and I wanted to look like him. I would want my viewers to leave with amazement and to be happy. That would also complement my work, as it is amazing.

For this project I wanted to create something fun and interesting to look at. I wanted to do a rough and sketchy style since I believe that style contrasts the real-life aspects of the image. I also incorporated comic book aspects with the cartoony effects. There isn’t really any deep meaning behind this piece; I just wanted to create something humorous that could put a smile on someone's face.

I wanted to intertwine my interest in exploration and photography and share the emotions of change—adventure, exploration, and freedom—but also themes of loneliness and the unknown. I captured these feelings with leading lines paving the way ahead; the light shining on the bench reminds us to stop and remember the past. The light from the windows contrasts the dimly lit path ahead, representing the known and the unknown, tying into the inside/outside theme. Space is used to reinforce how unknown this path ahead is, with the vast open hallway displaying the lack of cozy comfort of life as we know it. The door at the end represents the new life the path leads to, its darkness representing the unknown lurking beyond.

I am a Grade 10 student who enjoys creating new ideas. What interests me in photography is how it captures beauty in ordinary everyday things and captures unique perspectives.

My inspiration for this project comes from the connection between indoors and outdoors. How plants, as pieces of nature, are brought into our homes. This idea really interests me because it symbolizes balance and harmony. Using natural lighting, framing, and the contrast between a houseplant and its surroundings, I aimed to create something meaningful but also relatable.

I hope my work brings a sense of calm and a new appreciation for the small connections between nature and home. My message is pretty simple: beauty and balance are always there to be found in everyday life.