"Resilient Grasp" 

Graphite on Paper

By Betsy Allison

"Resilient Grasp" is a powerful visual representation of the profound impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on the lives of my students and my own. This artwork depicts distorted hands, symbolizing the challenges, uncertainties, and hardships they have experienced during these unprecedented times. At the same time, the hand in the middle is trying to hold on and support them all. This hand symbolizes me. 

The distortion in the hands represents the disorientation and disturbance caused by the pandemic, disrupting their everyday lives and pushing them into uncharted territories. The contorted fingers reflect students' emotional turmoil, anxiety, and isolation as they grapple with a rapidly changing reality. 

The choice of hands in this artwork is deliberate, as they are tools for creation and connection and convey a sense of touch, empathy, and human connection. However, the distortion signifies limited physical contact, causing a sense of distance and detachment among individuals. Despite the difficulties portrayed in "Resilient Grasp," there is an underlying message of resilience and determination. The hands are still depicted in a powerful, gripping motion, symbolizing the tenacity and willpower students have demonstrated while facing immense adversity. The way they are supported also symbolizes the holding together that I, as their teacher, was trying to do. 

Through this artwork, I aim to evoke empathy and understanding towards students' experiences during this trying period. By visually representing their struggles and resilience, I hope to shed light on our unique classroom family stories from this time, encouraging viewers to pause and reflect on the collective impact of the pandemic on our society. 

"Resilient Grasp" is ultimately a testament to the strength and resilience of my students, my love for them, and a reminder that even in times of great hardship, the human spirit has the power to endure and overcome.