O’Halleran announces winner of 2021 AZ-01 Congressional Art Competition

Jon Johnson Photo/Gila Herald: U.S. Rep. Tom O'Halleran listens to a question during a roundtable discussion in Pima.

Jon Johnson File Photo/Gila Herald

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VILLAGE OF OAK CREEK – Today, Congressman Tom O’Halleran (AZ-01) announced the winner of this year’s Congressional Art Competition, an annual event that highlights the work of talented young artists across America. Every year, each member of Congress is able to select one piece from their respective congressional district to hang in the U.S. Capitol for a year.

Simulacrum, Aiden Badruddoja

“Year after year, I am impressed by the exceptional artistic talent of students in Arizona’s First District,” said O’Halleran. “I’m pleased to announce that this year’s Congressional Art Competition winner is Aiden Badruddoja from Ironwood Ridge High School in Oro Valley, Arizona. I look forward to seeing his outstanding piece hanging in the U.S. Capitol.”

“I am so grateful to be selected as the winner of the 2021 Congressional Art Competition,” said Badruddoja. “My piece, titled ‘Simulacrum,’ is about the false ways we display ourselves to other people. The televisions covering the subject’s eyes represent the fake identity that we use to please others and conform to our environment. The more we use these TVs to hide ourselves, the more we lose the traits that make us unique.”