When I entered the competition, I had no expectations for myself and simply used it as an opportunity to challenge myself further. After all, art is something I enjoy so it felt like there was no harm in trying!

Home in a Home follows the theme of "Nature and Man-made", commenting on the impact of urbanisation on deforestation and habitat loss. It was around this time when the Tengah forest in Singapore began to be cleared in order to make way for new housing. Living near this area I was able to witness first-hand the changes that ultimately inspired my artwork. It struck me that building these houses came at the cost of destroying wildlife habitats, rendering them homeless so we can meet our housing demand. Hence, I depicted the construction of a house within a forest, contrasting the two different ideas of a home to suggest the irony in the situation.

It was actually my first time attempting to create an artwork of that size, and I was initially hesitant to start as it felt like an intimidating task... But to my surprise, it did not take that long to complete, as I was fully immersed in the painting and genuinely enjoyed the process.

I'm also grateful to have to have attended the Junior Academy. It introduced me to different forms of ideation, creative expression that led me to consider art-making through a new lens. The workshops not only challenged my creativity, but also allowed me to interact and learn from my peers of similar passions and interests. Overall, it was a new and exciting experience that benefited me in many ways!

The arts have been a part of my life for as long as I can remember. Thanks to my parents, my interest in arts has been nurtured since childhood, from going for regular visits to museums to joining art clubs. Back then, I especially enjoyed doing arts and crafts, constantly making handmade cards and gifts to give to others. In a way, it became a form of motivation for me to develop my artistic skills further. It was probably then that I discovered my passion for using the arts as a medium to express myself, and the rest was history!

Visual Arts to me is not just about the end-product, but also the process of creating. Creating art has helped me to understand my own identity better and prompts me to be more reflective. I like that it can be personal to me, yet still relatable to others. It gives me the platform to express my thoughts and perspectives, as well as invite others into a meaningful conversation. I personally find artworks the most impactful when they leave me deep in thought, which is what I also hope to achieve with my works.

The Visual Arts curriculum allows me to be independent with my ideas and artistic expression, while still providing the necessary guidance to ensure I am able to convey my intentions effectively. I've also been introduced to many aspects of art-making that have now become integral to my artistic growth.

For example, the conceptualisation and development process of creating an artwork is something that is heavily emphasised, not just the final product. This comes in the form of a sketchbook, consisting of not just sketches but also research and experimentation. It has become one of my favourite elements of creating an artwork. Moreover, the curriculum nurtures our ability to understand and apply art theory to different artworks including our own. Overall, Visual Arts lessons equips us with both artistic and conceptual skills that have allowed me to grow as an artist.