Deng Yunwei
Gold Prize
Title: Spring Awakening
Competition Theme: Intersection of Literature and Art
Medium: Stage Design
Emerging young designer Deng Yunwei presents a reinterpreted stage production of Steven Sater's coming-of-age rock musical Spring Awakening, originally based on Frank Wedekind's play. Set in a strict 19th-century German town, the story follows young people grappling with adolenscence. Girls discover their changing bodies and desires, while boys face the pressures of a rigid education system where a grim future awaits. Deng's reimagining goes beyond this historical setting, showing how these struggles are still relevant in today’s contemporary context. Using creative stage design to promote collaboration between director, actor, and set, Deng aims to create an immersive experience that draws the audience into the heart of the story. This reimagined Spring Awakening aims to spark conversations about the well-being of young people, mind and body, challenge societal discomfort around sexuality, and prompt reflection on the norms that might hinder a healthy journey into adulthood.
In awarding the Gold Prize, the judges were particularly impressed by Deng’s effective use of different formats to articulate concept, development, and realization of a theatre design project engaging with the rite of passage genre. This highlighted Deng's ability to conduct thorough research, employing both primary and secondary methods, and to make insightful connections between the project and her broader academic journey.
The judges commend Deng's strong work ethic, professional approach, sophisticated inquiry, rigorous process documentation, excellent craftsmanship in model-making and renderings, and clear and effective presentation skills.
Miao Jiatong
Silver Prize
Title: Old Life
Competition Theme: Dreams and Visions
Medium: Fine Art
Emerging artist Miao Jiatong presents "Old Life," an evocative series of works that delve into the rich emotional landscape of the elderly, challenging the conventional narratives of aging. Through her work, Miao explores how societal expectations often confine older adults to subdued roles, overlooking their vibrant aspirations and desires for new experiences. Inspired by artists like Kai Samuels-Davis, Julia Maiuri, and Yoko Hasegawa, Miao employs a blend of bold colour palettes, layered imagery, and mixed materials such as pearls and sequins to vividly illustrate the emotional depth and liveliness of her subjects. This artistic approach not only highlights the complexity of emotions experienced by the elderly but also celebrates their undiminished zest for life. "Old Life" invites viewers to reconsider the stereotypes associated with aging, advocating for a more nuanced and joyful appreciation of the elderly's contributions and dreams.
Earning a GAC Silver Award, the judges praised Miao her for her thoughtful engagement with complex ideas concerning societal preconceptions. Her research and process were highlighted as indicative of a high level of scholarly and artistic rigour, and the judges were particularly impressed by Miao's adept use of drawing as a critical tool in both the research and development phases of her project, underpinning the entire series with a solid foundation.
The final artworks were celebrated for their strong, well-developed execution and high-quality realisation, with the judges enjoying the montage of details, encouraging Miao to further pursue this method to expand her painting practice.
Xia Xinyi
Silver Prize
Title: Alice’s Adventures in Wonderland
Competition Theme: Intersection of Literature and Art
Medium: Graphic Communication
Emerging artist Xia Xinyi has been recognized with the Silver Prize for her inventive three-dimensional pop-up book, "Alice's Adventures in Wonderland." In this unique adaptation, Xia blends elements from notable characters such as the Rabbit and the Mad Hatter, and contrasts between the Red and White Queens to create a rich symbolic narrative. The project's background, inspired by Salvador Dalí's "The Persistence of Memory," underscores themes of time's transformative nature. Xia employs ultralight clay to craft scenes of a decaying forest, enhancing the enchanting atmosphere of her creation. The integration of recycled materials, like soda cans for robust tree features, not only underscores a commitment to environmental consciousness but also enriches the visual and creative depth of the work.
The judges were notably impressed with Xia's astute selection of the classic tale, which meshed seamlessly with the proposed format and enhanced the project's thematic depth. They praised Xinyi for their playful yet sophisticated exploration of the material, which is evident in her skillful use of repurposed objects that vividly animate the whimsical world of Wonderland. The judges also appreciated Xia's thorough presentation, which included a discussion of adjusted or omitted elements, such as the exquisite paper flowers. This willingness to refine and evolve her artistic process was highlighted as a demonstration of Xia's adaptability and eagerness to learn, qualities that are invaluable in creative practice.
Ge Shuwei
Bronze Prize
Title: Save the Sea
Competition Theme: Environment and Sustainability
Medium: Painting
Ge Shuwei’s thought-provoking work, “Save the Sea,” portrays the urgent dialogue between marine life's enchanting beauty and its vulnerability to human-induced environmental threats. Ge’s use of materials like quartz sand and ultralight clay, alongside a water marbling technique, creates a haunting depiction of the ocean's struggle against nuclear waste. Drawing inspiration from the expressive dot work of Gordon Hunt to the haunting visions of Lauren Marx, and the time-traversing brushstrokes of David Ambarzumjan, Shuwei’s art is a vivid montage of urgency and advocacy, urging a deeper consideration for our environmental responsibilities.
In awarding the Bronze Prize, the judges were struck by the clarity and depth with which Shuwei communicated her message, noting her well-managed presentation that intricately tied her project to the pressing issue of ocean conservation. They applauded her ability to weave personal insights with extensive research, resulting in a compelling call to action. Her engagement and commitment, coupled with her reflective and adaptable approach to the creative process, were seen as indicative of her potential for growth and impact within the artistic community, signaling a bright future for Shuwei as she uses her craft to champion the cause of the seas.
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.
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.
Xu Yeheng
Bronze Prize
Title: The Wall of Reconciliation
Competition Theme: Identity and Multiculturalism
Medium: Architecture
Xu Yeheng’s work, “The Wall of Reconciliation,” stands as a response to the historical and ongoing conflicts in the Middle East, particularly between Palestine and Israel. Through a deliberate and ambitious architectural design, Xu aims to transcend the entrenched disputes that have marred the region, inspired by the monumental role of the Berlin Wall in German history. The project proposes a structure near Jerusalem's Western Wall that symbolises the bridging of divides. This edifice not only mirrors a wall but also functions as an exhibition hall, displaying artifacts representative of the diverse cultures and religions in the Middle East, with the hope of promoting a narrative of unity and peaceful coexistence.
The judges were impressed with Yeheng’s comprehensive engagement with the intricate historical and sociopolitical narratives, commending the project's thoughtful parallels to other momentous monuments. Yeheng’s video presentation and the detailed site analysis were recognized for their ability to effectively convey the project’s vision and depth. The judges acknowledged Yeheng's work as an enriching contribution to the discourse on global conflict and peace, highlighting the project's potential to encourage harmony and understanding across cultural and political boundaries through architectural intervention, embodying the aspirational goal of dissolving long-standing divisions to foster a united future.
Ling Ruotong
Bronze Prize
Title: Social Clock
Competition Theme: Dreams and Visions
Medium: Fine Art
Ling Ruotong delivers a thoughtfully crafted project that reflects on the intrinsic uniqueness of individual growth and the societal pressures imposed by the notion of the 'social clock.' Inspired by the saying "Everyone blooms differently," Ling chose four flowers representing the seasons—winter jasmine, the sacred lotus, the hardy begonia, and the cold-growing cymbidium—to symbolize life's natural diversity and the different paces at which we all progress. Her artwork challenges the traditional timelines set for life's milestones, suggesting instead a society where people are free to develop in their own time, without the constraints of age-based expectations.
The judges were impressed by Ruotong's comprehensive research and the poignant use of drawing, making, and material investigation, which served as strong investigative tools. Her ability to interweave found and made elements crafted an articulate analogy for concepts of growth, evolution, and time as a human-made construct. Ruotong's artwork not only poses a creative inquiry into the concept of time but also stands as a metaphor for personal and societal evolution. Her balanced blend of scholarship, research, and artistry, along with a methodical approach to her creative process, was lauded as demonstrating great promise for her future endeavours in art practice.
Yuan You
Bronze Prize
Title: Lucid Dream
Competition Theme: Dreams and Visions
Medium: Illustration
Yuan You’s digital painting titled “Lucid Dream,” awarded the Bronze Prize, transports viewers into a poignant narrative inspired by the valorous acts of diver Dave Shaw. Yuan's illustration honors Shaw's extraordinary attempt to retrieve a young boy's remains in the perilous depths of South Africa's Bushman Cave. The project is a tribute to the realism of heroism, illuminating the idea that ordinary individuals, not just superheroes, possess the spirit of true heroes through their deeds. Yuan's illustration weaves this message into a visual exploration of dreams and reality, reflecting on the significance of every courageous act, no matter how unrecognized.
The judges were struck by the sensitive storytelling and the emotionally charged representation of the underwater world. Yuan’s iterative process, marked by iterative sketching and exploration, culminated in dynamic visuals that beautifully encapsulate the story’s essence. The careful consideration of texture in the digital realm, blending traditional brushwork with innovative techniques, contributed to the artwork’s depth and resonance. The judges recognized Yuan's project as a vital addition to the competition, encapsulating thoughtful storytelling through art. Yuan is encouraged to continue this trajectory of artistic exploration, which promises to unfold into a compelling narrative of heroic visions and the dreams they inspire.
Zhang Yang
Bronze Prize
Title: Qu Ru
Competition Theme: Intersection of Literature and Art
Medium: Animation
Zhang Yang's animation, awarded the Bronze Prize, unfolds the mythical narrative of the Qu Ru, a creature of legend with a human face and a solitary foot, its feathers as white as snow. Zhang’s engagement with the subject matter is evident in the depth of research undertaken, including observant studies at the Guangzhou Zoo, capturing the nuanced movements of flamingos and other water birds to inform the QuRu’s graceful anatomy. The project marries meticulous mark-making with fluid animation, revealing Zhang's ability to convey complex tales through moving image. The animated sketchbook format, inspired by the eclectic "Pop Team Epic," transcends traditional storytelling, engaging audiences in a novel and immersive experience that breathes authenticity into the legendary creature.
The judges praised Yang's for her well-executed narrative and a captivating animation that presents a clear and engaging story. Yang’s artwork demonstrates an impressive craftsmanship and explorative process, and was commended for its scholarly underpinnings and creative flair, showing great artistic potential to come.