Senior Matthew Lam is a vibrant, interesting, creative, and passionate student. However, Lam chooses to express himself in a way that most people aren’t able to – artistically.
“I’ve been drawing and painting ever since I can remember,” Matthew said, “It’s really my escape and a way to express myself.” He adds that now he’s “taking steps towards using my art to display parts of different cultures in society and in my life so hopefully,” in a way, “I can be an activist.”
Matthew also hopes to, “represent other people and feelings through what I paint and draw.”
Lam says that his art is, “an extension of my experiences as a queer person.”
Through his art, he says he tries his best to, “create a narrative and shine a light on those who really don’t get to share personal stories with a wide range of people.”
He adds that he thinks, “this type of representation is really important for those who are in the [LGBTQ+] community.”
Through his paintings, he likes, “to draw people who are in non-traditional relationships or gender non-conforming,” in order to, “show people that we exist and are taking up space in this world.”
When asked about his plans after high school Lam says, “I would love to stick to art like the way when you’re a kid you say you want to be an astronaut.” He adds, “ It would be a great fantasy to live but realistically I don’t really see it as a possibility.”
However, Matthew “for sure wants to do something in the creative field,” and “if not go on the path of a social worker to help people. That’s what life’s all about.”
