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Students from around the world awarded in Hong Kong's first international students' visual arts contest (with photos)
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     Twelve primary and secondary students from around the world received grand prizes at the prize presentation ceremony of Hong Kong's inaugural International Students' Visual Arts Contest cum Exhibition(HKISAC) held at the Hong Kong Museum of Art today (August 14).

     The first-ever HKISAC, with the theme, "Visual Creativity: My World", was jointly organised by the Education Bureau and Po Leung Kuk. It aims to encourage youngsters from different social, economic and cultural backgrounds to express their emotions, feelings and views through the visual arts, show their creativity and knowledge, and foster international artistic and cultural exchange.

     The contest was open to all primary and secondary students from all over the world. They were categorised into four age groups (primary students: aged 5 or below to 8; aged 9 to 11 or above; secondary students: aged 12 or below to 14; aged 15 to 17 or above).

     More than 3,200 creative artworks from 25 countries were received. Twelve grand prizes, 45 honourable mentions and 252 certificates of merit were awarded. The grand prize winners, aged 5 to 18, came from Bulgaria, New Zealand, the Philippines, Thailand and China (Mainland and Hong Kong).  

     Eight internationally renowned artists, art educators and art critics were invited to be adjudicators and honourable consultants of the HKISAC. The judging panel said it was deeply impressed by the excellent quality of the entries, as well as the patience and devotion of the entrants.

     The artworks show diversity in visual appeal and messages, including personal emotions and social and global concerns. For example, a highly imaginative artwork by Ina Valentinova Ivanova (Bulgaria) depicted a pair of twins and placed them between the sky and the earth to express her perception of her own dual personality.

     Many other entries successfully transformed traditional artwork with contemporary elements. With the Chinese long scroll figure painting "Dawn of the Spring in the Han Palace" as the blueprint, Tsui Pik-chun (Hong Kong) depicted the behaviour of some office ladies to express the conflicts and tension that are often found in modern-day offices. Her artwork offers the audience a new perspective on Chinese ink painting.

     The entries from different age groups show distinct views. While the entries from junior primary students express beautiful innocence, those from the older students are more critical and even express negative emotions. Their skills in using the visual arts as a medium of expression is mature. For example, Hou Jiaxi (Mainland China), the youngest grand prize winner, made use of bright and harmonious colours and simple forms to depict two happy kids in a forest. The artwork expresses the heartfelt joy of innocence.

     The entries also reveal the characteristics of different regions and cultures. For example, the entries from Thailand have a strong religious atmosphere. In general, Asian students paid more attention to fine details while Western students focused more on creativity.

     All artworks awarded a grand prize or honourable mention are exhibited at the ground floor lobby of the Hong Kong Museum of Art in Tsim Sha Tsui from today until August 29. Video clips of the adjudicators' views on the artworks will also be shown. Members of the public are welcome to enjoy the exhibition free of charge.

Ends/Saturday, August 14, 2010
Issued at HKT 12:35

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