Yang Junzhe
Bronze Prize
Title: The Protection of Animals
Competition Theme: Environment and Sustainability
Medium: Painting
Yang Junzhe, awarded the Bronze Prize, here creates a stirring visual narrative with a focus on the beauty and plight of butterflies. Yang combines traditional Chinese elements with the emotional potential of these delicate creatures, interpreting butterflies' imagined feelings and desires to communicate with humans. To deepen her understanding, Yang immersed herself in research, from visiting a science museum in Shanghai to studying the colour and design of butterfly wings, and examining the works of E.A. Seguy and traditional Chinese motifs. Junzhe’s artwork is a dance of colour and emotions, utilising watercolour and acrylic paints, aiming to convey a butterfly's yearning for harmony with humanity on canvas.
The judges commended Yang’s detailed research and analytical process that culminated in an expressive and emotive interpretation, seamlessly integrating the theme of Environment and Sustainability with the multidisciplinary field of theatre design. The strength of Junzhe's project lies in her articulate presentation and the insightful linkage between her personal artistic evolution and broader environmental concerns. The incorporation of feedback from peers, pointing towards interactive elements and textural diversity, reflects Junzhe’s openness to growth, marking a significant milestone in her artistic journey and signaling her potential for future explorations that foster connection and conservation.