🏅2026 Finalist – Student Art Exhibition

Where Are You?

Noah Sanchez
Grade 9 — SD School of Creative and Performing Arts

In the Artist’s Words
I chose the topic of the disappearance of people in Mexico due to cartel violence because I wanted to bring awareness to an issue happening in the world today.

For my topic, I picked the usage of AI because it harms people (more specifically artists).

My final project for this class was to create an artwork that advocates around an issue currently happening in the world. My topic is the disappearance of people in Mexico due to cartel violence.

The person in this artwork is Cecilia Flores, the leader of an organization called “Madres Buscadoras” in Sonora — an organization where mothers and volunteers search across Mexico to find their missing loved ones. Cecilia is searching for both of her sons, Alejandro Guadalupe and Marco Antonio. I chose her as my main focal point to represent the suffering people have endured due to the disappearance of their loved ones. The shovel behind her is a tool commonly used to excavate sites where remains may be found. I made the background violet because most organizations like hers use that color in their logo. The small footprints in the background represent the miles they have walked searching, and the traces of evidence left behind.

To create this piece, I deeply researched my topic, then gridded my paper and began sketching the overall shapes — the mouth, eyes, and clothing. I started with light colors and progressively worked toward darker shades, then added the shovel and background. I blended the background for a smooth finish and added small red footprints. The only materials I used were oil pastels and pencil for the initial sketch. I believe my work demonstrates strong use of value and shape.

---

🖌 Medium — Oil Pastel
🎨 Theme — Human Rights + Trauma & Resilience