The Malta Independent on Sunday
153 works from 18 schools for China art competition
The Imagining China children’s art competition is organised on a yearly basis by the China Cultural Centre in Malta, also referred to as the CCC, in collaboration with the Ministry for Education whereby an open call is made to all schools in Malta to participate. An ongoing online exhibition is being held on the China Cultural Centre in Malta Facebook page which weekly showcases 10 selected artistic works submitted for the competition. The exhibition was launched on 22 January and will run until the end of April.
The theme of the competition, Magnificent China was welcomed by students across the Maltese islands and the CCC was thrilled to receive more than 150 artistic works brimming with creativity and conveying children’s strong interest in China and Chinese culture. The competition was open to students from Years 7 and 8, forming group A, and Years 9 and 10, forming Group B, with a total of 18 schools participating.
The young artists’ hard work culminated in the highly anticipated online awards ceremony held on Zoom on 16 March where the Minister for Education, Dr Justyne Caruana, the Chinese Ambassador to Malta, H. E. Mr. Yu Dunhai along with Yang Xiaolong, the director of the CCC and the panel of judges congratulated the winners.
The artworks were explosive in colour and traditional, as well as modern visual design elements of China were present throughout. The subjects chosen varied from Chinese architecture and lush natural landscapes to mythical dragons and Chinese people wearing traditional clothing.
Gabriel Azzopardi from the Malta Visual & Performing Arts School was awarded first place in Group A for his painting depicting iconic landmarks and visuals that
are representative of China’s fascinating history and futuristic outlook. Jayme Hili from St Margaret College won second place by drawing traditional Chinese subjects surrounded by swooshing clouds drawn in a typical Asian style. “I hope someday to visit China,” Hili said at the ceremony, adding that he wants to have a deep understanding of China. Kaylee Demarco from St Thomas More College was awarded third place for her lively, jovial and vibrant drawing of a dragon in a festive Chinese street. “I want to show different cultural aspects of China,” she said.
The winner of group B is Greig Vella from St Margaret College for his eye-catching pencil colour drawing capturing the Great Wall of China and the celebrated Lucky Cat
statue that can be spotted all around China in restaurants and shops beckoning in customers and good fortune. Second place was awarded to Matthew Theuma from the Archbishop’s Minor Seminary School whose painting portrayed a woman dressed in red Chinese traditional clothes and a multi-tiered pagoda. Micayla Edwards, who attends Maria Regina College, won third place for her painting which featured an elegant and majestic dragon gliding through the centre of the page and the portrayal of a scenic river and arched bridge.
First prize winners were awarded a
Huawei Pad, second prize winners received a smart portable lamp speaker and third prize winners were given a Chinese architecture puzzle set. St Margaret College Secondary School and the Malta Visual & Performing Arts School received a brand new printer for having the most students participating in the competition.
Mr Dunhai remarked: “Viewing China through the eyes of Maltese children allowed me to see the similarities and differences between the China I know and the China portrayed by the students, which truly helps us to strengthen our cultural understanding and cultural connection to each other.”
Yang Xiaolong concluded the awards ceremony by announcing the theme of the 13th Imagining China children’s art competition, Mysterious Tibet, Tashi Delek. Tashi Delek is a customary Tibetan expression wishing kind blessings and good luck to another.
The 12th ‘Imagining China’ children’s art competition is sponsored by Shanghai Electric Power (Malta) Holding Co., Ltd