A passionate creative and leader, Tina Y. is an outstanding senior at Hangzhou International School, having been deeply involved in the visual arts throughout her time at HIS, where she found a supportive environment to nurture, explore and develop her creativity.
Heading off to university in the autumn, Tina has received many acceptances and scholarships from prestigious art institutes and universities in the United States including: the Rhode Island School of Design (RISD); Maryland Institute College of Art (MICA), USD124,000 scholarship; California College of the Arts (CCA), USD100,000 scholarship; School of the Art Institute of Chicago (SAIC), USD96,000 scholarship; School of Visual Arts (SVA), USD64,000 scholarship, UC San Diego, UC Davis, and UC Riverside.
Last summer, Tina completed the Rhode Island School Pre-Collegiate Program alongside hundreds of other creative, highly motivated students, and received all A’s in her courses. Following her passion for visual arts and design, she will be attending the Rhode Island School of Design in the fall.
When did you join HIS, and how long have you been a Dragon?
I have been an HIS student since 7th grade, and it has now been approximately five years.
What made you start pursuing art?
I have had a strong passion for art since a very young age, and I believe I possess the ability to observe and appreciate the beauty present in my surroundings.
I draw all the time in my daily life, embracing any possibilities of art-making. Really, art has become my way of exploring the world and keeping track of experiences, and it’s really turned into a form of self-expression for me.
What was your theme for your IBDP Visual Arts Exhibition?
My exhibition explored the theme of memory as a multi-dimensional concept, including biological, emotional, and cultural aspects, that transcends the universal understanding of memory as static recollection.
Could you tell us a bit more about the creative process behind your artworks?
I was born with amblyopia, luckily it did not prevent me from carrying a sketchbook around to doodle happily or hunting for beautiful random little objects for my treasure box. My experience overcoming this challenge has allowed me to re-examine the concepts around body, memory, history, and materials, which became the foundation of my creative practice.
What is your favorite artwork you’ve created?
My favorite artwork is called “Relics.” It explores the theme of memory through the enduring presence of Taihu stones, once symbols of grandeur and now relics of the past.
As witnesses to history, these stones have weathered the changes of modern city development. Though shaped by wind and rain into remnants, they embody the memory of a vibrant past, and continue to serve as silent observers of current time. This piece reflects on how objects can hold memories, standing resilient amid changes, preserving the essence of the times they have seen.
Inspired by animal’s internal structures and natural organic elements such as Taihu stone in Chinese civilizations, I wish to use this artwork to convey the idea of object memory. I believe the process of continuous thinking and adapting really helped me to produce stronger work.
Therefore, based on my initial thoughts of referencing cougar’s internal structures, I subsequently connected this work to the recreation of Taihu stones. This connection arose as I contemplated the relationship between animal extinctions and cultural heritages, considering how non-human entities can transmit memories and reflect upon their histories.
What advice would you give to students taking IB Visual Arts?
Find what interests you and dive deep.
