SOTY 2023/24: First runner-up in Visual Artist category uses art to empower communities
Zhang Tingting’s artistic journey began when she was young, and she uses her work to advocate for human rights
Hong Kong teen artist Zhang Tingting wants to use her art for good. Photo: HandoutZhang Tingting, 17, said her art journey began when she was very young.
“When I was a toddler, maybe one or two years old, I would play around with baby crayons,” said the visual artist, a student at Chinese International School in Hong Kong.
Influenced by her artist grandfather, Tingting was curious about different mediums, such as acrylic paint, oil paint, and pencil sketching.
“I found the process of drawing to be very immersive, which inspired me to continue pursuing this path,” she said. “I’ve had an interest in visual arts since I was younger, and my parents were very supportive, enrolling me in drawing and painting classes.” This early exposure paved the way for her later achievements.
This early exposure paved the way for her later achievements, including winning the Hart Prize for Human Rights in 2019, a prestigious award that recognises artists who use their talent to advocate for human rights, and the Prize of Excellence in the 2023 Sino-French International Young Artists Competition, a highly competitive event that showcases the best young artists from China and France.
“The Hart Prize introduced me to the idea of creating art for good and raising awareness on societal issues,” she explained.
Her winning entry was a mixed media piece highlighting the water crisis in South Sudan. This experience solidified her understanding of art’s ability to evoke emotional responses and drive social change, a commitment she continues to uphold.
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Her recent award-winning work in the Sino-French competition depicted China’s water towns using mixed media techniques. She spent months researching and visiting these towns, gathering inspiration for her piece.
“I crumpled up Chinese Xuan paper and mixed it with a grainy material to create texture, then used charcoal pencils and watercolour to depict a dreamy landscape,” Tingting said. This approach reflects her love for experimentation and blending different mediums to create unique visual effects.
In addition to these accolades, Tingting was named first runner-up in the Visual Artist Category at this year’s Student of the Year (SOTY) Awards, organised by the South China Morning Post and solely sponsored by the Hong Kong Jockey Club.
Tingting’s commitment to art extends beyond personal creation. She is actively involved in the Arts for Good Foundation, a non-profit organisation that uses art to empower communities, where she participates in projects that use art to raise awareness and inspire change. One memorable project involved creating an oil painting for an NFT collection symbolising hope during the pandemic.
“I wanted to shed light on the situation in Hong Kong and raise hope for the future,” she said.
She also co-founded Urban Mosaic, an organisation dedicated to making art more accessible. Through workshops with NGOs, she provides underprivileged children with opportunities to explore art.
“It’s fulfilling to see children develop confidence and have fun with different techniques,” she said.
One girl in a workshop with the Salvation Army stood out for her creativity, using stencils and dotting techniques to create unique patterns.
Reflecting on her journey, Tingting shared a pivotal moment at the M+ museum: “When M+ first opened, I didn’t understand the modern artworks, which challenged my perception of art,” she said. This experience broadened her understanding of art’s limitless possibilities and its role in provoking thought and challenging social norms.
Tingting emphasised the importance of finding one’s niche and building a supportive community.
“Every artist has a unique strength. Find what defines your style and makes you special,” she said, inspiring others to discover their own unique strengths.