Reflection

I think there are several factors that led to my passion for, and involvement in, sustainability but I think my community has been my greatest impact, particularly my home country of China, and my own family’s involvement in and concern regarding pollution and sustainability. As a resident of China for the majority of my life, I have read about and seen firsthand how the environment has been polluted by the irresponsible behavior of people. I became interested in sustainability, hoping to do my part to raise sustainability awareness; reducing my own waste of single-use products, reusing and recycling paper, and modeling so others would do the same. Through my artwork, I wish to raise an awareness of the threat of irresponsible plastic usage and inspire others to reduce their use of these synthesized materials. The piece entitled “Friends” is a piece in response to two articles that I read this year. One of them states that researchers found microplastic particles in every water sample they obtained, and the other shows how plastics are impacting and killing Laysan albatross. In my drawing, the plastic balls in the background symbolize enlarged versions of microplastic beads, constituting the habitat of these ocean-dependent birds. The toy duck demonstrates human involvement in pollution in the oceans, interrupting the ecosystem.