Sebastian Tulin

Bio

Sebastian Tulin is a Junior at Winston Churchill High School;  born and raised in Colesville, Maryland. Sebastian has been exploring the art of photography as a hobby since 7th grade but in the past two years, it has turned into a passion. He is currently taking AP photography and has taken photography classes inside and outside of school for the past few years, including a summer program in New York City. Sebastian’s award-winning portraiture and street photography, often exploring themes of isolation and the human condition, has been exhibited in multiple galleries: most recently a solo exhibition for the Ida F. Haimovicz visual arts award. Sebastian plans to find more working experience with professional photographers during his senior year of high school and to continue his artistic education in college.

Artist Statement

I have an odd fascination with people. Especially those in isolation. A common theme throughout my work is unidentifiable figures in a large environment; a reflection of how I often feel in my own life. I notice people who are alone in the background of society more than the people surrounded by others because that’s how I often see myself. 

My inspiration to create art comes from two things: a desire to live other lives and a need to express my own thoughts and emotions. Through portraiture, street photography, and narrative photography, I do both of those things. When I take portraits, it’s not only a representation of who that person is, but often a reflection of how I feel or wished I felt. My candid street photography is no different. Photography allows me not only to express my own emotions through narrative and aesthetic themes, but also to connect with others who may feel the same way. It has introduced me to a whole new community of people and has helped alleviate my own feelings of loneliness.  

I discovered photography while stuck at home during the pandemic. At the time it was just a creative hobby and something healthy to spend my time on but it has become so much more to me. Photography is my escape. It allows me to be someone else when I am taking pictures. I have developed the skills to conceptualize, visualize, and execute an idea and I have become obsessed with learning to be the best I can be. I am able to capture increasingly complex ideas and emotions through a completely nonverbal and stationary art form. I love telling people things, but I never actually know quite what to say or how to say it. Through visuals, however, I can say so much without actually saying anything at all.