By Jenna DeFrancesco
The blank walls of any building hold memories special to everyone who passes by. At Branford High School, senior Claire Barnett is leaving her mark on one of those walls – literally. For the last several weeks, she has been painting a large mural on a previously plain wall, an image depicting what she says is “structured to be a visual escape.”
“The main composition is a circle,” Barnett said recently, taking a break from her painting on the wall at the corner where the B and D wings meet. “And (it) spirals you into a gold moon in the middle so you’re drawn in.”
A majority of the design is drawn in different shades of purple with some gold highlights. Although there are realistic elements, Barnett said her design is a fantasy image.
“Moons aren’t gold…It’s rendered in a somewhat realistic way but it’s completely made up,” she said.
Barnett drew inspiration for the design from students’ high school experiences.
“It alludes to the kind of state of transition you’re in in high school…it’s kind of a visual relief for people,” Barnett explains. Pointing out the border, she explains that it portrays acanthus leaves, which have been treated by people in history as a sacred healing plant. Her use of the leaves came from the main inspiration of “model manuscripts,” and adds to the depth of her image.
Barnett began her artwork in March, in the school’s upper hallway, right across from room B20. She has worked on it over weekends and free periods ever since.
She said she drew the original sketch in her return to school sophomore year, after being home during the covid-19 pandemic. Barnett mentions how she disliked being back in the school building after almost a year of virtual learning, so her creation was for both herself and other students to enjoy.
However, Barnett emphasizes the importance of interpretation. “When someone tells you this is what this means, it takes away from the magic of art…there’s no wrong interpretation, any pictures of art can mean anything to anyone.”
She expresses that her art is to put order into her thoughts, and that other people may also benefit. “(It’s) nice to know that my four years here…(have) been cemented to some extent, and I won’t be forgotten.”
Barnett is currently out on an internship with the Allis Bushnell House, part of the Madison Historical Society. She says fashion and historical fabrics are a big part of her life that people should know about.
“If anyone wants to stop by and check out the collection I would love to say hi to them.” she said. “I would be thrilled for them to see it.”
