IBDP VISUAL ART EXHIBITION 20 25
Welcome to the IB Visual Art Exhibition 2025, a vibrant showcase of creativity and expression from seven remarkable students at South Island School. This catalogue celebrates the culmination of an intense two-year journey, marking my first cohort as their art teacher. It has been a joy to witness the evolution of these talented individuals.
Throughout the course, I have seen each student’s skills, confidence, and maturity blossom. Their artworks have transformed into intricate creations, rich with cultural references and personal narratives. This growth is reflected in their exploration of diverse media, from traditional drawing and painting to innovative digital art.
The exhibition is a testament to the dynamic range of genres and techniques these students have embraced. Their creations span various forms, including printmaking, textiles, sculpture, photography, and digital drawing, showcasing their versatility and artistic vision.
A strong sense of camaraderie has developed among the students, as they supported each other through idea exchanges, constructive feedback, and collaborative discussions. This nurturing environment has fostered a spirit of honesty, hard work, and mutual care, enabling them to push boundaries and take creative risks.
I am incredibly proud of each student’s individual accomplishments. Their dedication to refining their work through reflection and experimentation has led them to this impressive moment. As they embark on their future artistic endeavors, I encourage them to stay connected and continue to inspire one another.
Thank you for joining us in celebrating their achievements and the vibrant journey of these young artists.
Sarah-Jane Pate Head of Art
ALLISON LEE JASON MAN SEAN PARK YOANA PARK PRISHA RAI
NATALIE SHUM NICOLE TSOI
This exhibition is a cultural reflection—a journey through identity and its complexities—showcasing a collection of artworks that explore and celebrate my heritage through various mediums. Each piece is thoughtfully crafted to narrate my childhood memories, struggles, experiences, and connections to my cultural roots.
At the heart of this exhibition is the exploration of identity—how it shapes me and influences my personal narrative. Through these artworks, I weave together the threads of my experiences, creating a cohesive story that reflects my journey of self-discovery and belonging.
Growing up in a Korean-American household gave me a complex, love-hate relationship with my culture. However, family traditions, celebrations, and food have played a significant role in shaping my understanding of identity. These experiences have inspired me to use art as a form of self-exploration. Translating these emotions into a visual narrative—something tangible— has been both therapeutic and empowering, allowing me to embrace and redefine my cultural identity through artistic expression.
ALLISON LEE 17 • KOREAN AMERICAN
JASON MAN 18 • BRITISH CHINESE
In this exhibition, I explore the concept of liminality, capturing the often-overlooked transitional spaces within Hong Kong’s urban landscape. Liminality refers to a state of transition—whether physical, emotional, or metaphorical—where one exists on the threshold between two stages. The term originates from the Latin word limen, meaning “threshold,” and is commonly associated with places that evoke a sense of unease, nostalgia, or displacement.
I was drawn to this concept because of the peculiar and unsettling emotions that liminal spaces evoke. These spaces—such as an empty park, a dimly lit corridor, or a deserted street—contrast sharply with the dense and energetic environment of Hong Kong, making them feel almost surreal. My interest was further influenced by the rising popularity of liminal spaces in digital media, particularly in found-footage horror videos that depict first-person explorations of such eerie, in-between places. These videos often emphasize atmospheric tension, which I sought to replicate through my artistic choices.
Throughout life, we inevitably face hardships and challenges, regardless of our background or circumstances. In my exhibition, “Journey,” I explore the emotional experience of navigating these struggles through a series of five artworks, each created using diverse mediums and techniques.
Each piece represents a distinct stage of life, from the innocence of childhood to the complexities of adulthood and aging. By portraying these emotional landscapes, I aim to invite viewers to reflect on their own experiences, fostering a sense of connection through these universally shared moments.
SEAN PARK 17 • KOREAN
YOANNA PARK 17 • KOREAN
The theme “Lost and Found” explores the intricate relationship between absence and presence, both physically and emotionally. In a world where objects, memories, and identities can be fleeting, this exhibition invites viewers to reflect on the significance of loss and the journey of rediscovery. I was particularly intrigued by the contrast between loss and recovery, as well as the emotional duality—both positive and negative—that an artwork can evoke in its audience.
By interpreting this concept from multiple perspectives, I have been able to explore diverse narratives and artistic expressions. Engaging with the theme of “Lost and Found” has deepened my understanding of how meaning is shaped through visual storytelling, allowing me to develop a more nuanced approach to my curatorial practice.
Growing up, I often struggled to understand my identity, having been shaped by two distinct cultural backgrounds: Hong Kong and Nepal. This dual heritage has influenced my perspective and personal experiences, leading me to explore the concept of identity through the works in this exhibition. My artistic journey is not only an attempt to reconcile these two influences but also a means of understanding myself on a deeper level.
This exhibition is more than just a reflection of geographical locations—it is an exploration of culture, experience, and the emotional landscapes that define “belonging.” Through my art, I examine the cultural differences between Nepal and Hong Kong, as well as the ways in which I have intertwined elements of both into my daily life. By visually expressing these connections, I seek to communicate deeper meanings and values while fostering a sense of shared experience with others.
PRISHA RAI 17 • CHINESE NEPALESE
NATALIE SHUM 17 • CHINESE
To me, art has always been the most profound form of expression, shaping our lives in ways we may not even realise. It has the power to create connections, challenge perceptions, and convey concepts or emotions, each experience uniquely interpreted by the viewer. My intention is to establish a meaningful connection between my artwork and the audience, evoking a sense of emotional belonging and relatability.
Building on this belief, I was inspired to create an exhibition exploring the different stages of acceptance, expressed through flowers and natural elements. Art became my coping mechanism during times when I felt excluded and unaccepted—it was my way of expressing myself and finding resilience in difficult moments. I have always felt a deep connection with flowers; while they symbolise joy and beauty, they also embody fragility and vulnerability—qualities that resonate with my own experiences. Each artwork in this exhibition reflects this duality, mirroring the journey of self-acceptance and personal growth.
Through this exhibition, I explored my cultural identity through the overlapping themes of history and tradition, urban life , and modern development by portraying the intersection of modernity and tradition in Hong Kong’s contemporary landscape. Growing up in Hong Kong, I am exposed to a bustling metropolis of diverse cultures and traditions. This led me to recognize the unique elements of our environments that shape our cultural identity. I was initially inspired by the intersection of culture, socio-economic status and values manifested through the city. I am enthralled by the prospect of how one’s identity is shaped by the assimilation of cultures. In my portrayal of the various scenes of Hong Kong, I want to reflect my cultural identity through my perception and experience of the environment around me.
NICOLE TSOI 17 • CHINESE
SOUTH ISLAND SCHOOL
