Outcasted: Art and Identity

Ever since he is a kid, Justin Duerr is gifted in the arts and gained the attention of his high school’s art teacher. His art teacher held high expectations for him but at the same time restricted him to a certain art style that just isn’t Duerr’s style at all. With pressure coming from his art teacher and the constant bullying from his peers, Duerr, like any outcast teenager, rebelled and soon dropped out of school. On the other hand, in the documentary, Sevy comes across as an oddball introvert that is intelligent yet prefer to lock himself away from society. In a way, Duerr and Sevy both are out casted by society because they think and behave differently. Through art, Duerr and Sevy are both able to express themselves, Duerr through his art pieces and Sevy through tiles, assuming Sevy is the Toynbee tiler.

This is not part is not included in the vistor's guide but relates to this section which is about art, expression, and identity. Consider this as a bonus analysis why Jon Foy decided to weave Duerr's childhood and artist life into a documentary about Toynbee tiles.

For more art pieces made by Justin Duerr, click here.