J-BAC 2025 - Primary School Top 10 Finalist - Christabelle Coleman - Where Turmoil Meets Tide

Artist Name: Christabelle Coleman

Artwork Title: Where Turmoil Meets Tide

Size: 600mm x 500mm

Medium: Acrylic with textured paste on canvas

Unframed

Inspiration:

The shark, often misunderstood, represents power, protection, and survival. To me, the shark in my artwork represents my dark moments. Where the world seems like a cold, aggressive and abusive place to be in. Where my ancient soul feels misunderstood…out of place in my generation… The shark also reminds me of the all the pain and suffering I see on a daily basis in our beautiful town. Especially the homeless souls on the streets. They are us, and we are them.

The eye in my artwork represents me…. I see, feel, and understand things in life differently. Caught between the jaws of life.

Enters the ocean… The sea behind the eye (me) represents how even in the middle of the turmoil of life, the tide grounds me… The ocean teaches us to embrace both calm and chaos. Because I don’t like talking to others about my struggles, feeling as if I will burden them, art offers a way for me to tell my story without words.

Artist Bio:

Hello to whoever is reading this. I'm Christabelle Coleman. I’m 13 years old & have been doing art since I was 4 years old.

I’m homeschooled because it is difficult for me to attend a public school because of my Dyslexia. I get anxious if I make a mistake like read or answer incorrectly.

My family & I are planning to move to Ireland in two years, because we feel very Spiritually connected to the island and its Celtic castles and the people there. My Dad’s ancestors come from Ireland.

I was born & raised here in Jbay. Even though we have moved around many times, we eventually always come back to Jbay, so this town will always be our home. Through all my ups and downs & always feeling like wanting to flee off the face of the earth, there was always something that helped calm our waves of turmoil when we returned to this town.

I don’t really have many friends because I’m quite a loner. I tend to overthink aaaaalot which is never easy. Art is a way for me to escape the noise & it allows my artistic soul to be itself. Also, I really love animals. Byeee!