WCAAD Student Art Projects of PORTFOLIO PREP/Advance Teen Art Courses (3)

Student Name: Valeria Dumitrascu

Title: Generations Connected (Gold Seal at State VASE)

Work type: Illustration Acrylic on wood polyptych

Category: Painting

Size：12 x 16

The "red ribbon myth" in China, also known as the red thread of fate, is a folklore belief that an invisible red cord connects people destined to be lovers, regardless of time or place. This myth is rooted in Chinese mythology, where the deity in charge, Yue Xia Laoren (often abbreviated to Yuè Lǎo), is the old lunar matchmaker god who binds these destined pairs together.

In this painting Valeria depicts the red string connecting generations with food. How our food can say and connect generations or memories of meals from our parents and the traditions past down. No matter how far we are from our country of origin and how we assimilate, some things tie us liberally and shape who we become as we grow into ourselves weaved into our fabric of existence and bond us eternally. This artwork won the Golden Seal at State Vase in Texas CA.

Student Name: Laura Zhang

Title: Glory

Work type: sculpture (3D print and mixed media)

Category: Fine Art

Size: Approx. 5 x 4 x 6

Laura Zhang’s work is a critical analysis of a complex “identity” exploration. Born in China and raised in Canada, and now, living in America. Individuals in the diaspora grapple with a dual identity, existing between their Chinese heritage and their life in their new country or countries, certain language and sense of belonging to name a few. Often this can lead to a disconnection from everyday experiences of a “homeland”.

When this artwork was created, Queen Elizabeth just passed and to some Canadians and public, this meant controversial reaction. To some she was loved and to others a negative historical outlook on political agendas during her rule. This iconic leader’s death made Laura feel confused about her own views on how to react or feel. An interpretation on the postcolonial perspective of the Queen’s rein and influence was a visual consequence and manifestation on this event. The questioning of citizenship, and other immigrants, the idea of ”home” or redefinition of a homeland the American dream and empire were in the forefront of her process and medium.

“An observation of the former Queen Elizabeth II, a loved, glorified, yet loathed figure with a hateful history. This piece depicts my thoughts, that as a Canadian citizen, I wonder what will become of the people’s opinion.”--Laura Zhang

Student Name: Brenda Yi

Title: untitled

Work type: 3D diorama

Category: Fine Art /Illustration

Size: 12W x12L x 9 H inches

In this 3D diorama Brenda attempts to have the audience engage with the idea of animal rights and abuse. Through this artwork she lays out the question of what people and entities will do for entertainment? The surrounding images also depicts animals perishing from this type of exploits.

Animals can face unnatural social structures and face traumatic experiences in any kind of captivity. At times the surplus of animals in breeding programs can cause a surplus of animals and lead to overpopulation and mistreatment including captivity, confinement, and exploitation for the sake of entertainment. Studies show that animals can suffer psychological distress and some animals may suffer abusive training and conditions.

On the brighter side, associations like the World Association of Zoos and Aquariums (WAZA), have begun to prioritize animal welfare with science-based programs. Alternatively, animals that cannot be returned to the wild, advocates increasingly support well-designed animal sanctuaries as a more humane alternative to zoos and the elimination of circus animals show a brighter future.

Student name: Alex Liao

Title: Untitled

Work type: graphic illustration

Category: graphic design

Size: size variable

Alex Liao studied graphic design and would experiment with ways to communicate visually. This communication art practice led to many trials and errors that benefited him in the long run with various interpretations for the final product. His play with typography created an array of striking imagery.

Font illustrations combine text and visual art to create unique and visually engaging designs. In the end goal, not only does he  use fonts to communicate a message, but integrates typography as an integral part of the illustration.  Ultimately, his purpose is defined as he considers audience and style in his method. Experimentation is crucial. Utilize digital tools (like Adobe Illustrator), vectorizing sketches, refining letterforms, and cleaning text type for final integration, and finally finding balance in all elements- contrast proportions alignment space, color and hierarchy etc.

Student Name: Jack Wang

Title: untitled: Shattered Guitar

Work type: sculpture-ready made and paint on board

Category: Fine art

Size: 19x20 

As the audience contemplates this artwork, we see that art and music share a common language of expression.  Both offer a unique history and contemporary paths. They can communicate thoughts, emotions, and (cultural)narratives. Theses symbiotic relationship between these two artforms of creativity can create immersive experiences. Through the process Jack Wang’s artwork was a reaction to a post-pandemic trauma and the love of his passion for music and art. He destroys the music piece only to give birth to a new way of looking at the object through his physical smashing of the guitar and deconstruction to building a new art in assembling and reconfiguring. The expressive paint coats the artwork fusing art and music together enhancing their individual impact to create an immersive experience for the audience. Finally, as the title implies, we are shattered in the moment only to reinvent as not only individually but collectively.

Student Name: Yue “Jessica” Long

Title: Breath

Work type: Mixed media-paint, gauze on cardboard

Category: Fine art

Size:24x36

In this work Jessica Long used material to symbolize and reflect on the pandemic. Her choice of white to homogenize the space is a recalling of how all of society was at a standstill and in a way put us all in an equal space where we felt helpless and vulnerable. Core ethical, moral, and ways of living disrupted and suffocated us to a breaking point.

As I reminisce on Jessica’s process she says ”I used paper towels to wrap foam balls to create the feeling of being trapped and suffocating. The main color was white, which represents death and sickness, just like lying on a cold table in a morgue covered with a white cloth. During the Covid pandemic, numerous people were killed due to serious illnesses caused by Covid. Some of the symptoms were shortness of breath, loss of sensory function, etc. My work, similarly, is based on the objects under the paper towel are trying to breathe and escape.”

The work evokes the viewers experiences as it becomes almost tangible.

Student Name: Angelina Tang

Title: untitled

Work type: Illustration (watercolor)  

Category: Fine Art/Illustration

Size:11x17

Here we see a watercolor illustration by Angelina Tang campaigning against “ageism”. Most importantly for Angelina- female ageism.  Ageism refers to stereotypes, prejudice, and discrimination directed at someone based on their age. Although seen often discriminating against the elderly or older generations it can include young people through reverse ageism. Illustrated in the picture is a woman who is not allowing age to define her and breaks to mold of institutional ageism. All surrounding by the representation of life in the background through the greenery we see surrounding these statues. The statue in the left center is a representation of the age Angelina is as she and many like her generation deal with conditions that are holding many backs.

These conditions often lead to have inequity in workplace rights, healthcare, mental health and psychical health, and legal restrictions creating a vicious cycle often perpetuated by image, Hollywood and now social media.

Angelina would like the artwork to educate and create integration and understanding. Through intervention and media literacy, laws can assist in creating change and dialogue to move into a better societal integration.

Student Name: Charcie Chan

Title: untitled

Work type: Fine Art oil on Canvas

Category: Political Art

Size: 14x17

In this politically driven painting, WCAAD student artist Charcie Chan, depicts a young girl being silenced with statical data that is written becoming a symbolic yet revealing prison. The girl is silenced and becomes a victim and another statistics the world forgets about. This work is intended to educate as Charcie has done research and cares about this increase violence against young children as we all should. This painting is intended to have a double read and ponder how as a society we can better challenge social and cultural norms, having more information on awareness and prevention, survivor support, and providing more statistical data to have accountability and global standards like the International Classification of Violence against Children.

Published ahead of the International Day of the Girl, according to UNICEF this article states that over 370 million girls and women globally subjected to rape or sexual assault as children. “The first-ever estimates on sexual violence in childhood reveal alarming prevalence, with devastating impact on NEW YORK, 10 October 2024 – More than 370 million girls and women alive today – or 1 in 8 – experienced rape or sexual assault before the age of 18, according to new UNICEF estimates released today. Children”

About UNICEF

UNICEF works in some of the world’s toughest places, to reach the world’s most disadvantaged children. Across more than 190 countries and territories, we work for every child, everywhere, to build a better world for everyone.

Student Name: Mary Qu

Title: untitled

Work type: Oil on Canvas

Category: Fine Art

Size: 16x20

This work is a self-portrait created by Mary Qu depicting herself in a surrealist portrayal. As a child she suffered from kidney disease and recalls coming in and out of sleep as she remembers hospital rooms, fluids being injected into her and hospital rooms.  The sound of monitors and feeling isolated and alone. She remembers that art helped her in this stressful environment cope with the situation helping her heal as she longed for freedom. Mary used many metaphorical visuals to communicate these times that shaped her in many ways. Although not exposed to artist such as Frida Kahlo (1907–1954): The Mexican painter used self-portraits as a primary medium to explore themes of identity, pain, and post-colonialism. Frida also experienced traumatic suffering and spent time in the hospital perfecting her art form.

The term self-portrait can refer to a wide range of exploratory media, from drawings, painting. sculpture to photography and video. Self -portraits can engage cultural or identity investigation and expressive sensibilities. These works tend to include symbols colors, space or scenes to convey a narrative about their life, thoughts, or evoke an emotional response.  Like many artists in the past these works can act as a visual diary archiving a societal representation of the current zeitgeist.

（By Omar Gallegos）