Sydney Hrlic
About
In this piece, my yearning expression reflects aspirations for the future. The vibrant brain, skull, and nerves symbolize my thoughts and plans, while plants represent personal growth through my journey. Linear boxes frame my goals, like fulfilling my parents' dream of owning a sailboat, a vision yet to set sail.
Pastel pencil on craft paper
For Overconsumption, I created a ‘90s video game-like model of my head vomiting personal objects made out of colored paper. This piece was inspired by my favorite artist, Tom Friedman, who demonstrated that art can go beyond illustrative imagery.
Acrylic paint on illustration board, construction paper, origami paper
With this work, I wanted to highlight my laser-like focus demonstrated by the close up view of my eyeball, while including imagery that reflects my sometimes wandering mind. The dragonfly is shown hovering over grapes which symbolize imagined fruits of my labor that simultaneously serve as food for thought.
Pastel pencil on craft paper, oil on illustration board, acrylic on masking tape, wire, and paper
In Resonance, I animated myself, cold and alone, being hugged by a close friend, who leaves a lasting warmth with me. Reflecting this animation onto a dripping pool of water symbolizes the rippling impact of connection, as her warmth stays beyond the moment, transforming my inner and outer world.
Digital animation projected onto dripping pool of water
In this painting, I wanted to show my own feelings of anxiety and the way I grow through my struggles shown by the growing plants around me. My heart glows with perseverance as I refuse to let my anxiety take over my life- conquering and embracing my anxiety.
Oil on canvas
Countdown to Success illustrates the balance between calm focus and determination. The cloud symbolizes serenity while rowing, the kimbap reflects physical hunger and drive for improvement, and the numbered strokes represent the countdown to finishing strong. Together, these elements capture the mental and physical challenges of my favorite sport.
Colored pencil and acrylic on paper
I created this mixed media piece to represent how my goals in rowing revolve around attaining an ideal two thousand meter time on the rowing machine. I depicted a dreamy sky with my competitors along with suspended colored strings to show my focus as I train for my ultimate time.
Acrylic paint and pastel pencil on illustration board, nylon thread
In this piece, I wanted to show the expressive power of the eyes to convey a silent interaction between myself and an imagined other person. I used white pastel pencil on black paper to capture a dramatic moment of dialogue without actual words.
White pastel pencil on black paper
This video art consists of myself washing my hands with a bar of soap that says “LIES.” Through the act of washing my hands, the carved words morph into “TRUTH,” symbolizing that one must actively confront what lies on the surface to reveal one’s true self.
Bar soap
This piece is created in my perspective as I search through anatomy book pages for a reference to paint muscles onto my leg. By using pastel pencils on top of various colored papers, I tried to capture the disarray of my preparation in creating my artwork.
Pastel pencil on craft paper, black paper, white paper, acrylic paint on palette paper