Art

ESPR Portrait

This piece was created as part of my “quest” challenge on the final day of ESPR '24. During the program, I reconnected with my passion for art—a passion that had quieted over time due to my focus on STEM and my hesitation about sharing my work. ESPR reignited my love for creating, bringing back an excitement I hadn't felt in a long time.

As part of my challenge, I decided to make individual portraits for everyone in the camp. I designed the backgrounds with ESPR's theme colors, blue and yellow, using Python code to vary the brightness for each piece. The shifting backgrounds added an extra layer of difficulty in choosing the right skin tones, pushing my skills further in color selection. (Fun fact: while the quest was meant to be completed within 24 hours, it ended up taking me a bit longer—though in the time-lapse replay, it amusingly condensed to exactly 24 hours, 23 minutes, and 12 seconds!)

Hand (Real)

This sculpture is a smaller replica of my right hand, created as a reflection of my long struggle with skin allergies and a persistent habit of skin-picking developed from a young age, resulting in redder skin on parts of the palm and fingers captures the irritation, often covered with band-aids. This piece is a playful, self-aware commentary on the challenge of breaking a habit that has become a part of me.

Portrait for J

This portrait of my friend J was inspired by A, who created a portrait of her father as a birthday gift when we were in the Ross Program. I have sketched J's portrait twice from a reference photo, drawn to her elegant expression and graceful gesture. In my previous attempts, I refrained from adding color, fearing it might detract from the piece. However, this time I decided to embrace the challenge, resulting in significant improvement in my realistic painting skills. I am particularly pleased with how her hair turned out in this version.

Dream House

Inspired by learning about post-WWII to modern architecture, I was captivated by the elegance and order in structures made of glass, steel, and concrete. This model represents my vision of a modern-style dream house, created using SketchUp. The design includes a basement, a first and second floor, and a swimming pool. I also incorporated a sunken courtyard to connect the basement workspace with the outdoors, bringing natural light and an open feel to the design.

The Bridge

This artwork, titled The Bridge, features an original wooden stick structure paired with digital art. It represents the dualities of "Rationality" and "Emotionality," symbolizing the choices I face in my life. The inspiration for this piece came from my grandmother's illness. In the past, I often leaned heavily on rationality; however, in that challenging situation, I realized that pure analysis couldn't help her recover. Instead, by embracing the emotional side, I was able to provide much-needed support to my family and take responsibility for my role in the situation. This experience helped me find balance between rationality and emotionality, and now I find myself positioned between these two vital aspects of life.

Hand (Imaginary)

In contrast to Hand (Real), Hand (Imaginary) offers a different perspective on my injured hand. Though the injury itself isn’t pleasant, the act of skin-picking has become a release of stress and a way to calm myself. The green color across the injured area represents a “grassland”—a place of relaxation and relief from pressure. Meanwhile, the smooth, uninjured skin around it symbolizes stress that is not released by the bad habits: schoolwork, activities, GPA, research, and family responsibilities. This piece explores the complex interplay between relief and tension in my life.

Queen's Back Quad

This digital artwork was also created during the ESPR program, inspired by the positive feedback I received on my watercolor piece. I chose to sketch the scenery of the program venue, Queen's College, Oxford, using a Nikko Rull brush for its unique texture. In this piece, I challenged myself to prioritize color and overall atmosphere over precise structures, which I typically focus on. This shift allowed me to explore a more expressive approach, resulting in a piece that captures the vibrant vibes of the setting.

Mount Mogan

This piece was created during my travels in Mount Mogan, a place that holds special significance for me. Growing up in Huzhou, a small town nearby, I have always cherished the comfortable summer weather and the rich tapestry of traditional Chinese legends associated with Mount Mogan. This gouache painting is my first outdoor work with this medium, and it captures my deep appreciation for my roots.

I feel a strong connection to Mount Mogan, as both it and I are linked to Shanghai—the mountain has long been a retreat for Shanghai elite (as noted on its Wikipedia page) even though it belongs to Huzhou. As a student at an international school in Shanghai who returns to Huzhou every weekend, I find a greater sense of belonging in my hometown, where life moves at a slower pace and the pressures are less intense. This artwork reflects my love for my native place and the tranquility it brings me.