By Hilary Beall
Honorable Mention, Visual (2D), Create | Encounter 2021
![](https://static.wixstatic.com/media/3d2b5f_d5fed279250c400cad1ee2a5823c8165~mv2.jpg/v1/fill/w_144,h_144,al_c,q_80,usm_0.66_1.00_0.01,blur_2,enc_auto/3d2b5f_d5fed279250c400cad1ee2a5823c8165~mv2.jpg)
Artist Statement:
After reading about certain countries bragging about their “elimination” of Down Syndrome, I felt heartbroken. I thought about how entire generations of children would be erased, and those left will eventually go “extinct,” because they are seen as lesser. I drew this portrait to remind myself, and others, of the undeniable beauty found within all humanity.