W E L C O M E
T O
A S C E N D A N C E Welcome to Ascendance. The 2016 IBDP Visual Arts Exhibition at CDNIS is a culmination of an intensive two-year course of study in both practical studio work and academic investigative research. Ascendance is an exhibition that showcases the body of work of twenty-four incredibly talented, hardworking and motivated students who have continually strived to challenge themselves in an exploration of new and, at times, daunting mediums. The work that you will see today is as much the result of persistence and focus as it is innovation. The making of Ascendance has involved deep research and inquiry into the work of other artists, artworks and artifacts. Behind the scenes there have been hundreds of alternate ideas, designs and plans that didn’t make it past the studio floor. Yet in navigating the challenges, these students have discovered their creative strengths. Ascendance was chosen as our 2016 exhibition title as a testament to the notion of continual momentum as these students move past graduation and into their adult lives. As many of our students prepare to move into a range of creative and other cours-
es at some of the best universities worldwide, today marks a symbolic culmination of their Visual Arts journey at CDNIS. Our students will be transitioning into: Fine Arts, Architecture, Graphic Design, Game Design, Urban Planning, Communication and Media Studies and Environmental Sciences to name a few. Next year will be a time for yet more fresh opportunities and exciting challenges. Wherever they may be, I hope that they are able to look back at this time as one of creative possibility, transformation and most importantly, happiness. Congratulations to each of you: Adrienne, Angus, Bella, Bev, Brian, Christabelle, Dennis, Holly, Jessica, Kristin, Lauren, Leona, Lubnah, Mizuki, Natalie K, Natalie L, Natashia, Nicole, Nikki, Noelle, Patrick, Renee, Richel and Tiffany. The making of Ascendance has been an incredibly personal experience for all involved, and I feel privileged to have been a part of it. You have made me incredibly proud. To the class of 2016, this is your moment. Enjoy!
Dan Neville Visual Arts MYP/ DP teacher
Transparent Sexuality, 2016, Watercolour on Wood
Perception vs. Reality, 2015, Acrylic Painting on canvas
Unclothed, 2016, Pastel Drawing
Joanne, 2015, Stained Wood Collage
Fragmented in Limbo, 2015, Acrylic Painting with Rusted Perforated Metal
LAURENHODDER We are all made up of an infinite amount of details that determine the way in which we view ourselves, people, and things. Perception becomes our current states of reality; the constant, concrete, steady object in the midst of a mind and body in limbo. And yet it isn’t.
Inevitabile Evolution of Self, 2016, Photography & Photomontage
Through my pieces I explore the idea of perceived realism and seek to understand the substance, origins, and inevitability of the many potential realities that individuals and societies have. Through the use of distortion and morphing I further emphasise the idea that although reality may be imminent and unavoidable, it is a constantly changing thing.
Anatomy Study (Contour), 2015, Marker
Dissolution, 2015, Oil on Wooden Plank
Mass Consumption, 2014, Oil on Canvas
Bound, 2015, Digital Painting
Hands Study, 2015, Graphite
Degradation, 2015, Digital Painting
NICOLEHUI First and foremost, this year has been a gruelling ride, all my blood, sweat and tears have been summed up in this one exhibition. Unfortunately, this great year has come to an end, and this exhibition show cases my journey throughout IBDP art. Creating art, for me, has been about the challenges that come with refining my art skills. Knowing and learning about my limits in the process has really been a valuable part of the experience. “Ascendence” is the perfect word to sum up my IBDP art experience, I’m sure my peers would all agree. Reflecting on my art journey that started since I was 3, my mentality has always been “do first, wing it later” :). This exhibition will be the final farewell to my art career.
Folds of Society, 2015, Photographic Installation
Patriarchy, 2015, Photography & Photomanipulation
Defiance, 2015, Acrylic
Hands Study, 2015, Charcoal
Threads of Intersection, 2015, Pin & Thread
N ATA S H I A L E E A soft-spoken person by nature, art serves as a platform for me to communicate with the world. My works are a manifestation of my voice and a reflection of who I am as an individual. I am fascinated by the interconnection of culture and identity, frequently taking inspiration from my own heritage and fusing together elements of Indian and Chinese culture, such as iconography and language. Mainly revolving around the theme of feminism and equality, my works aim to explore the complexity of modern day feminism, confronting viewers with the harsh reality of the world in an attempt to raise awareness and inspire change.
Reflection of Self Empowerment, 2015, Acrylic
Police Brutality in Retrospect: A Graphic Novel, 2014, Pen & Ink
The Absurdity of the Consumer Culture, 2015-2016, Pen & Ink Jake, 2015, Water Colour & Water Colour Pencil
Fauvism Life-Drawing, 2015, Water Colour Pencil
Ladies Market, 2015, Water Colour Pencil
T I F FA N Y N G A N Although a somewhat hackneyed statement, it is impeccably true in saying that art and love are the same thing - it is when you see yourself in things that are not you. Centered around that concept, my body of works encompass the essence of the relationships I have and how they have shaped me as an individual; as well as my critique on the social issues occuring in the world around me. The characteristic juxtaposition of the black and white of pen and ink and the electric Fauvism-inspired colour pencil are symbolic of the ongoing conflicting complications in my mind of how to represent vast matters that are significant to me. Ultimately, the cohesivity of exhibiting this contrasting style is illustrative of my imaginative resonance and idealistic resilence as developed over the years.
Peter Pan Syndrome, 2015, Photography & Watercolorยบ
Cocoa Farmer, 2015, Ceramics & Acrylic
Teacup Erosion, 2016, Embroidery on Canvas
Little Bound Feet, 2015, Ceramics
Foreign, 2016, Embroidery on Canvas
N ATA L I E L A I I have used art as a platform to convey social and cultural criticisms pertaining to that of fiscal issues within the less priviledged world. It is important that as artists, we not only create, but also inform our community of the larger issues that are prevailing the world we live in. I strive to comment on and raise awareness of these issues within the school body - issues that are occuring around us on a daily basis, however seem to be distant and intangible from our sheltered lives. The majority of my pieces have employed the use of mixed medias in order to parallel the convergence of two cultures and my enlightenment as an artist. Teacup Dress, 2016, Watercolor, Ink, & Copic Marker
Death Equality 1, 2015, Digital Media R.I.P (Romance In Peace), 2015, Acrylic on Canvas
Human Manipulation Series, 2015, Mixed Media
Covered, 2015, Digital Media
ADRIENNELIN
Naked, 2014, Acrylic on Canvas
Art does not provide me a ‘world’ to escape in during moments of vulnerability, as a form of personal output for emotional expression. That is not to say art is not personal to me. Instead, I’ve always been drawn to the freedom of applying my own input of personal knowledge, style and ideas into communicating any given concept. My art is not to show you how I feel, but more so how I percieve the world around me. This approach to art shouldn’t be anything special, but should correct the misconception of artists always using art to express the vulnerable, emotional aspect of themselves. Hence, the way I see it, the refreshing and timelesss nature of art comes from the ability to break boundaries of prior artistic styles, and not as much the personal relations of a concept.
Where Do I Begin?, 2016, Photography & Photomanipulation
Hand Observations, 2015, Pen
Isolation, 2015, Film Still
Blended, 2015, Acrylic Paint
Abuela Esther, 2015, Acrylic Paint
NIKKIFLEISCHER I’d call art and specifically this exhibition my autobiography. The freedom of expression and choice in the arts has allowed me to pursue a complete exploration of my identity and emotions over the course of the past two years. Most of the works revolve around the struggle in understanding my identity; ethnically as a “third culture kid”, through a societal lens and through re-connecting with family.
My Name is 110291, 2015, Acrylic Paint
Over the past two years, I have learnt about different art making techniques, styles and concepts just as much as I did about myself. I used everything I’ve learned to communicate my identity through the language of art.
852, 2016, Photography & Photomanipulation
The Caste System, 2015, Photography
War of Silence Part 1, 2015, Photography & Photomanipulation
Laban Part 2, 2015, Film still
Laban Part 3, 2015, Acrylic on canvas
LUBNAHANSARI Each fragment within this display is a grain of my heritage. My heritage consist of values that I am deeply detached from. Yet, they manage to flow with every step I take, influencing every move I make. I can’t seem to explore this ascendancy any other way than to pick up my grey crystalline piece and create lines within lines - so here’s to my expedition. Laban Part 1, 2015, Acrylic on canvas
Mr. Dick, 2015, Paper Cut Out
The Sound of Reflection, 2015, Mixed Media
Natural Communication, 2015, Wire
Falling Into the Abyss of Time, 2015, Mixed Media
LEONAHEUNG I believe that art is more than just using traditional media. It’s about experimenting with the media you’re using and discovering new and innovative ways to use it. It is also about combining different styles to create your own, unique style. Consequently, I am frequently drawn to creating work that has a more vector style of art while still using materials in new ways. Each piece is a new adventure; Never knowing what the end result may be is really thrilling. 芸者(Geisha), 2015, Acrylic Paint on Paper Parasol
Habits, 2015, Pen
Repetition, 2013, Photography
It Gets Better, 2015, Mixed Media
Nude Drawing, 2015, Graphite
Whistler, 2015, Screws on Styrofoam
H O L LY Z H A N G Art has been an opportunity to explore myself, people, and the environment around me. While some of my pieces are more introspective, looking at my identity, many of my other pieces deal with the concept of habits. Habits inspire and intrigue me, because despite the repetition and regularity of these actions, they contribute significantly to who we are. Therefore, through my art, I explore these habits to better understand how they shape character.
Shadows, 2015, Photography
Through this exhibition, I hope to present a series of works that provoke viewers to examine their own habits that they do and question why they do them and what that says about them.
The Sexual Double Standard, 2015, Digitial Illustration
Warm, 2016, Acrylic on Paper
State of Mind, 2015, Oil on Canvas
From Venus To Mars, 2014, Pen & Ink
It’s A Girl!, 2015, Mixed Media
KRISTINCHUK My work explores the relationship between my identity and social issues I deeply care about - gender, race and social influence through media. Each work documents my thoughts about these issues at the time. I want to use my art to push boundaries to bring uncomfortable issues to consciousness. As an artist, I learned through experimentation to create content that serves a purpose: to tell a story, to inform or give a voice to an issue. In developing these works, I have learned something new about myself and constructed the very person I am today.
The New Woman, 2015, Plaster & Styrofoam
Taking inspiration from artists such as Frida Khalo and Zhang Xiaogang, new insights were crafted in both traditional and digital medias. My interest grew to encompass all forms of media as did my curiosity to understand how media is used to influence social attitudes and behaviour. Going forward, my passion in visual art will continue to grow and develop for the purpose of influencing positive change in society.
Digging for Gold, 2015, Oil
卲卲, 2015, Charcoal
White Noise, 2015, Charcoal
Reverse Development, 2015, Watercolour
J Doe, 2016, Watercolour
N ATA L I E K W O N G
The Golden Arch, 2015, Film Still
There is a certain tendency for art to make use of ostentatious language to pretend to be more than it actually is. In my own personal artwork, I use satirical elements in order to reflect my viewpoint towards this common tone of immensity. A large portion of my artwork deals with the subject matter of the human form, manipulated in humourous ways in which I amplify through depictions in realism. It is this synthesis between the two that I hope to engage viewers. I believe that art should be something that is accessible, and not a form which disconnects its audience from an area of exclusivity.
Longing, 2015, Photo Manipulartion
Uprooted, 2015, Photo Manipulation
Isolation, 2015, Photo Manipulation
The Flower, 2015, Photo Manipulation
DENNISLi Art has been an important part of my life for a long time. Whether it is for fun, self-expression or stress relief, I often find myself with a need to create. I have recently become immersed with the media of digital photo manipulation for its versatility, as well as creating works with concepts relating to my own identity and the struggles relating to moving between many different environments in my childhood.
Identity, 2016, Glitch Art
Sequent, 2015, Photo Manipulation
Image 2 out of 3, Degeneration, 2015, Photo Manipulation
Images 1 - 3 out of 6, Motion, 2015, Long Exposure Photography
aisthĂĚąseis, 2015, Film Still
C H R I S TA B E L L E TA N “At the end of the day, we’re making art - and our bodies are our paintbrushes.” Observational Study, 2015, Graphite
Aqueous, 2015, Film Still
Growing up and drawing inspiration from my background as a dancer, I have often pondered upon the complexities and capabilities of the human body. This is the concept that drives my artistic style, where I question the aestheticization and manipulation of the human figure through electronic and time-based media. Liquified textures are a recurring visual motif in my work, which suggest the idea of dehumanisation. I also explore juxtaposition and pattern, which emphasise and bind the relationship between form and time.
Connectivity, 2015, Digital Media
Culture Wheel, 2014, Acrylic Paint
Geometrical Self, 2015, Photography & Photomanipulation
Tactile Pavings, 2015, Digital Media
Contorted Masses, 2015, Digital Media
Man-made vs. Nature, 2015, Photography & Photomanipulation
A N G U S TA N G There is more to art than just its visual elements, but the artist’s intentions and the meaning behind them are just as important. Art helps us communicate messages that would otherwise be difficult to express with words alone and each individual artist does it differently. For me, I do so mainly by intergrating many symbols throughout my works which helps me form the meanings and messages within each of my artworks.
Interconnectivity, 2014, Acrylic Paint & Color Pencil
My works here are heavily based on my personal experiences where I explore topics such as technology and communication through the use of digital media, acrylic paint and color pencils.
Untitled, 2015, Acrylic on Wood
Cynthia, 2013, Ink on Paper
Ghost World, 2016, MIxed Media
Life Drawing, 2015, Charcoal & Ink
BELLAWILLIAMS Yokoo/Ah Xian/Kusama, 2016, Mixed Media
Prophecy, 2016, Mixed Media
“Art is more than just a pretty picture” (Well, moderately). Although good art has some conceptual notion behind their constructs, great art should push the boundaries and dimensions of what constitutes as being “aesthetically appealing”. Being an avid user of Photoshop myself, I am frequently drawn to creating surrealist photography pieces. Having full control of adding and manipulating any visual element into a composition is such a joyous and engaging prospect. Frequently drawing inspiration from minimalistic layouts and color palettes, geometry, as well as my own Thai and Chinese culture allows my work to push the boundaries of visual aesthetics.
Time to go, A.H. 2015, Pen & Ink
RBF, 2016, Digital Illustration
Why don’t you R.M. away from her, 2016, Pen & Ink
LMAO, 2015, Mixed Media
JESSICACHAN
The last time I had a salad was never, 2015, Mixed Media
As a gal with not many useful skills in life, I consider myself above average when it comes to art. I have discovered an attraction towards simple designs with peculiar twists and elements that stray from traditional conventions. Although I’m drawn to the extraordinary, deviant, and bizarre, this attraction doesn’t align with my practical creative tendencies. Being shy but highly opinionated, it is extremely difficult for me to articulate with spoken or written language. Rather, I like to translate my thoughts and attitudes into visual expressions. The feeling of being able to share my perspective with the audience through a creative process is rewarding and a powerful drive behind why I create.
Lineage, 2016, Ink on wood
Transition, 2015, Moss on wall
Gina, 2015, Embroidery on cloth
Stained, 2014, String, papier Mâché, paper, wire on parasol
RICHELHODDER “What an artist is trying to do for people is bring them closer to something, because of course art is about sharing. You wouldn’t be an artist unless you wanted to share an experience, a thought.” - David Hockney
Hand, 2015, Graphite on paper
Through my individual art making process I have been inspired to share my personal experiences and my relationship with my changing environments and communities. I have chosen to explore concepts that are relevant to me, and my pieces reflect on the accumulation of individual lines and elements in building up an image or form. I am driven with the compulsion to express varied perspectives of how I perceive the world, and also question how we understand and interpret our realities.
Retain, 2015, Colour Pencil
Passage of Time, 2015, Mixed Media
Five Senses In One Head, 2015, Acrylic Paint
Rooted, 2015, Acrylic Paint
Plain, 2015, Conte & Marker
PAT R I C K W O N G “Art surpasses the boundaries of visual aesthetics and imagination�. Art does not have to be a depiction or representation of what you imagine, it can be anything from subjects which empower you, or even sensitive issues that you want to express. For me, art is a a representation for us, as humans to creatively express ourselves, and in some ways even a substitute for what words cannot simply express
Wonder, 2015, Colour Pencil
As a painter, I find inspirations from people around me, and also the colours of seasons. What the environment around me provides, I create. My conceptual ideas usual comes from personal experiences, and I enjoy creating through acrylic paints, as it can be mixed with other textured medias to create form and depth.
The Moirai, 2015, Watercolour & Ink
Consecrated Murder, 2015, Oil on Canvas
Impurial Ways, 2014, Arcylic
What’s Normal For the Spider is Chaos For The Fly, 2015, Acrylic on Wood
NOELLELEE
Figure Drawing 1, 2015, Coloured Charcoal & Conté
The role of the artist is to create works that amalgamate the intellectual and emotional while presenting it to the audience in a captivating appeal to their senses. The role of the artist is to pass on ideas and thoughts to their audience while allowing room for the audience’s memories and experiences (their self) to infiltrate what the artist presents, creating a union of thoughts between artist and audience. The artist creates an abstract dialogue with its spectators that occasionally they are not even aware of until the artist’s ideas are planted in their head. Within the society I’ve grown up in; a tall, grey, stuffy city, the artist’s job is to heal what is overly pragmatic, joining the illogical creations of the mind with reality, healing the stiff cracks that bleed through the streets. Art needs to reflect the self or at least an aspect of it for the society to believe in it.
Ukiyo, 2016, Oil on Canvas/ Origami
Bishamonten Fire, 2015, Mixed Media
Concealment & Revealment, 2015, Digital Manipulation
Yoisho, 2016, Mixed Media
Figure, 2015, Oil on Canvas
Hands, 2015, Graphite
M I Z U K I N I S H I YA M A I want to be a part of it all. I want to fail miserably; knowingly I will eventually rise. I want my work to be ripped into pieces (metaphorically please); knowingly I am the only one that can truly complete it. Typically, we would assume art as an embellishment to our lives. Instead, for me it is an integration to living. I like to incorporate elements of Japanese art to reconnect with my origins. A reoccurring theme in my artworks resonate around the ideas of revealment. Aside from exploring different art techniques, by carrying out these concepts that concern me in real life, it enables me to have a better grasp of who I am as a person/artist. Ikigai, 2016, Digital Manipulation
I Couldn’t if I Tried, 2016, Acrylic on Canvas
Respect is Difficult When Love is Lost, 2015, Sculpture
Grounded, 2015, Photography & Double Exposure
St. Basil Cathedral, 2015, Mixed Media
RENEEWONG Taking visual arts since the beginning of MYP allowed me to know more about myself and the approach I like working with conceptual art. Conceptual art is a platform where ideas and thoughts can be expressed in a variety of ways, shapes and forms. What draws me to this is that it goes beyond the the aesthetic work itself, enabling me to critically think, ultimately becoming a more open-minded artist.
Unidentified, 2016, Acrylic on Canvas
My work explores the theme of family, specifically the idea of the absence of my father in my childhood. To communicate this motif that runs throughout my artworks, I used a wide range of symbols from my Chinese culture and religious background.
Deceiver, 2014, Acrylic on Canvas
Hazardous Valley, 2016, Acrylic on Paper
On Foot, 2016, Graphite
The Ascension, 2015, Digital
Cyberpunk Parasol, 2016, Mixed Media
BRIANHO The way I see it, Art is a form of sustenence. Just as our bodies hunger for fats and sugar, our minds have desires that need to be tended to as well. In that way, art is a lot like food, and like food, art can only fill the emptiness temporarily. In my practice, I ideally try to make art that expresses simplistic, universal and ‘human’ ideas. I try not to force any strong ideologies into my work, focusing less on issues with our world and more on quaint observations. Often I focus on human’s relationships with technology or with each other, themes which are very important to many of us in this day and age.
Faces, 2016, Digital (Interactive)
“We shape our buildings; thereafter they shape our memories�, 2015, Felt tip pen & watercolour paints
Overlapping, 2015, Chipboard & basswood
Notre Dame de Paris, 2014, Mixed Media
Nude 1, 2015, Charcoal on paper
Ai WeiWei, 2015, Acrylic paint on canvas
BEVERLEYLIM “We shape our buildings; thereafter they shape us.” - Winston Churchill This quote has been a running inspiration through my studio practice in the past two years. I have explored how the expression of architecture can be translated into my identity, the human body and culture. The fluidity of movements juxtaposed with the structural relationships formed between planes and voids are a complexity that I’m intrigued by.
Less is a bore, 2015, Ink etching
Largely inspired by the works of Grayson Perry and books such as ‘Learning from Las Vegas,’ I aim to depict the irony and complexity of architecture and how that shapes us. Apart from architecture, I have recently worked on pieces that push the boundaries of my conceptual ideas. Taking a stand against China’s political ideology, I critique the Chinese government through my commentary on Ai WeiWei.
The graduating class of 2016 would like to thank the following people for making this exhibition possible: Thank you to the CDNIS Administration team, for your continued support and commitment to Visual Arts. Thank you to all of the art teachers, who have inspired, encouraged and engaged our students. They are a testament to your dedication!
your child to find strength in the arts. To William Lam and the Facilities team. You are amazing. You make magic happen! And lastly, to the two people who are the backbone of this department, Iris Chang and Yukiko Wong. Without you this show would never have been possible.
Thank you to the parents, for the support and patience you have continually shown. Thank you for encouraging
Ascendance Catalogue Cover – Leona Heung Student Image Design – Adrienne Lin Production Editors – Iris Chang and Daniel Neville Student Pages – Individual Students
W E L C O M E
T O
A S C E N D A N C E Welcome to Ascendance. The 2016 IBDP Visual Arts Exhibition at CDNIS is a culmination of an intensive two-year course of study in both practical studio work and academic investigative research. Ascendance is an exhibition that showcases the body of work of twenty-four incredibly talented, hardworking and motivated students who have continually strived to challenge themselves in an exploration of new and, at times, daunting mediums. The work that you will see today is as much the result of persistence and focus as it is innovation. The making of Ascendance has involved deep research and inquiry into the work of other artists, artworks and artifacts. Behind the scenes there have been hundreds of alternate ideas, designs and plans that didn’t make it past the studio floor. Yet in navigating the challenges, these students have discovered their creative strengths. Ascendance was chosen as our 2016 exhibition title as a testament to the notion of continual momentum as these students move past graduation and into their adult lives. As many of our students prepare to move into a range of creative and other cours-
es at some of the best universities worldwide, today marks a symbolic culmination of their Visual Arts journey at CDNIS. Our students will be transitioning into: Fine Arts, Architecture, Graphic Design, Game Design, Urban Planning, Communication and Media Studies and Environmental Sciences to name a few. Next year will be a time for yet more fresh opportunities and exciting challenges. Wherever they may be, I hope that they are able to look back at this time as one of creative possibility, transformation and most importantly, happiness. Congratulations to each of you: Adrienne, Angus, Bella, Bev, Brian, Christabelle, Dennis, Holly, Jessica, Kristin, Lauren, Leona, Lubnah, Mizuki, Natalie K, Natalie L, Natashia, Nicole, Nikki, Noelle, Patrick, Renee, Richel and Tiffany. The making of Ascendance has been an incredibly personal experience for all involved, and I feel privileged to have been a part of it. You have made me incredibly proud. To the class of 2016, this is your moment. Enjoy!
Dan Neville Visual Arts MYP/ DP teacher