Li Hengxu
Bronze Prize
Title: The Metamorphosis
Competition Theme: Intersection of Literature and Art
Medium: Illustration
Li Hengxu's artistic endeavour, "The Metamorphosis," awarded the Bronze Prize, is a compelling fusion of literature and visual art that explores the intricate relationship between word and image. Li chose Kafka's "The Metamorphosis" not only for its literary genius but also for its enduring relevance to contemporary societal behaviours. Through the process of illustration and collage poetry, Li discovered a harmonious blend of semiotics, symbolism, and calligraphy, embedding meaning into each element of the artwork. Symbols become an extension of the text, and deformed letters within the illustrations bridge the narrative of Kafka’s novel with the modern-day psyche, crafting a work that resonates with the novel's themes and transcends into new realms of interpretation.
Recognized by the judges for its coherent articulation of theme and practice, Hengxu's research was lauded for its robust foundations, and adeptly demonstrated her process in a complementary video submission to supplement the written narrative. The final pieces—two sophisticated illustrations—were noted for their adept interlacing of text and imagery, marking the overall submission as strong. Hengxu's work reflects a personal and intellectual journey, capturing the essence of Kafka's narrative while simultaneously prompting a contemporary dialogue about identity and transformation.