HUANG TSINGZ, a 12-year-old student from QSI International School of Shenzhen, recently won the gold award for her creative oil painting in the 2024 Forbes China Youth Artists 100 Competition. As the youngest gold award winner this year, Huang received a reward of 100,000 yuan (US$14,155). During a forum where the award was announced, Huang delivered a speech to 300 international artists and educators, sharing that her winning painting, “Xiaoyaoyou,” was inspired by her reflections on ancient Chinese philosopher Zhuang Zi, as well as her thoughts on existence, life and spiritual ideals. Her ethereal painting is infused with her imaginative concepts, showcasing her strong commitment to environmental protection. “In the painting, I created a futuristic world, where a girl dreams of seeing blue whales, even if they edge toward extinction,” she said. Experts at the competition praised the stunning and vivid artwork, describing it as vibrant and bold, with a delicate touch and strong expressiveness. The blue and red colors in the painting cleverly divide it into two distinct horizons: the distant future and the accessible past, referencing both the extinction of certain species and the possibility of harmonious coexistence in nature. Born in Hong Kong and raised in Shenzhen, Huang serves as the vice president of the student union at her school and is a member of the Nanshan District Artists Association. She began to learn painting at 2 and held exhibitions at the Shenzhen Bay Sports Center and the Hulunbuir Art Museum in Inner Mongolia Autonomous Region this year. In addition to her artistic pursuits, she is actively involved in environmental protection and public welfare. She has donated 10,000 yuan from her exhibition fundraising to the Shenzhen Autism Society and an experimental architecture project supporting farmers in Huizhou. The China Youth Artists 100 Competition and the accompanying forum were organized by Forbes China, aiming at igniting young people’s passion for art and discussing the value of art education and art industry development in China and beyond. Many young artists showcased their unique works and ideas during the events. Huang expressed her aspiration to become a true artist, hoping to help more people experience the true essence, wonder and beauty of art. She believes that great art can relieve pressure and soothe the body and soul. (SD News) | 