Covering “Catharsis”

Above: CATHARSIS: The front and back covers of “Catharsis,” the 38th volume of the iliad Literary-Art Magazine, are shown. iliad Outreach Director Jay Braswell picked out their favorite spreads of the magazine after reviewing it. “(We) wanted to showcase these pieces because, through art, we can deal with all of our internal struggles. We find ways to purge ourselves of destructive emotions in an effort to be better,” Maria Velasquez, Class of 2014 and 2014 iliad Art Director, said. “Catharsis offers everyone a chance to, in a sense, have a clean slate. The product of this release is reflected beautifully in the work of Clarke Central’s creators.” Cover by Gregg Guichard

The 38th volume of the iliad Literary-Art Magazine, “Catharsis,” features art and writing from CCSD students in 2014.

The 38th volume of the iliad Literary-Art Magazine, “Catharsis,” was published in 2014. “Catharsis” was produced for Clarke Central High School students and staff to be a creative outlet for internalized emotions and anxieties that come with the journey of life, represented by four subsections: “Abreaction,” “Kenosis,” “Kairosis” and “Closure,” across 88 pages.

The front and back covers, created by Gregg Guichard, feature different anatomical poses in vibrant colors. The front and back covers, as well as the inside covers, provide an aesthetic contrast to the rest of “Catharsis,” whose pages are in black and white, which includes the subsection dividers, which are made with a featured greyscale photograph.

Nearly all of the pieces in “Catharsis” are made using photography, traditional art or digital art, usually paired with a written piece. A common theme of realistic drawings is displayed repeatedly throughout the magazine with pieces such as “Transformation,” “Prowl,” “Uncertain” and “Beggar Woman.” Written pieces take a different approach to the theme of “Catharsis,” helping visualize emotions. Some pieces that capture this visualization include “Life as Brothers,” “My Angel” and “Lover’s Eyes.” Some art pieces take up two pages on their own. Outstanding examples include “Magnetic,” “Exit” and “Bloom.”

Story by Jay Braswell

Jay Braswell is a sophomore at Clarke Central High School in Athens, Georgia, and is the Outreach Director for the iliad Literary-Art Magazine. Braswell hopes that her contribution to the iliad will help inspire young artists around the Athens community. When they aren’t hanging out with friends, Braswell enjoys listening to music and painting.