THE VIRGINIAN-PILOT
Copyright (c) 1996, Landmark Communications, Inc.
DATE: Friday, April 12, 1996 TAG: 9604120059
SECTION: DAILY BREAK PAGE: E1 EDITION: FINAL
TYPE: Student Gallery 1996
SOURCE: Teresa Annas, Staff Writer
LENGTH: Medium: 56 lines
ANNE COSTA skates on the hyphen between Thai and American.
``When I'm here, I'm the Thai girl. When I'm visiting Bangkok, they think I'm Americanized.''
The Maury High senior moved with her family from Thailand to Norfolk at age 12.
Six years later, her Thai heritage is barely visible. Reared as a Buddhist in a country where women are very reserved in their behavior, Anne is now an outspoken girl with a broadened spiritual idea.
Yet, her roots run deep.
The two charcoal figure drawings that earned her honoree status depict a seated, bald-headed male. The figure was a model for a weekly drawing session at the Governor's School for the Arts, which she has attended for three years.
She chose two large drawings from that session for Student Gallery, and titled them ``Contemplating'' and ``Contemplating, Still.''
``I liked the pose,'' she said. ``He looked like he was contemplating, or meditating.''
Her use of strong, expressive line interfaces with traditional Thai art, which also stresses line, she said.
``I love lines. Every time we go to museums, all I see in artwork is the lines.''
Much of her training has come from her mother, who taught art in Bangkok. ``She has incredible technical skills. Sometimes when I have problems with certain things, like proportions, she'll help me.''
One aspect of Anne's work honors her heritage. At the base of each drawing, she has written phrases in Thai. One reads:
``I came so far away. I miss thee. Sending memories to you with darkness, I'll keep it always. Thank you. I love you still. . . Siam.''
Siam is the former name for Thailand.
Meanwhile, she is looking ahead to a career in film and video. Pratt Institute in New York has accepted her, but she's also waiting to hear from schools in California. She wants travel to be part of her career, she said.
Since she's not sure where she belongs, she wants to ``float around, here, there and everywhere.''
Without a single, true home, the world is her back yard. Without a single, clear identity, ``I don't see myself as anything. I just am.'' ILLUSTRATION: Color Photo
[student art]
by CNB