Tongue Tied
Ting Jiang
- Sitter: Ting Jiang
- Medium: Oil and string on canvas
- Dimensions: 41 x 51cm
- Artist Age: 14
- Artist School: St Peters Lutheran College
2022 Next Gen Prize
Proudly supported by
Gadens
About the work
The artwork is a self-portrait displaying communication barriers of an immigrant. Australia is a multicultural country with people of all different backgrounds. I was raised and grew up in a Chinese household even after migrating to Australia. As I enrolled into school, difficulties were found regarding communication. My placement in an English as a Second Language (ESL) class benefited me in my study of the English language, However, I never interacted with other peers simply because I didn’t know how to. The composition title is a metaphor describing when someone is at a loss for words. In this context, it highlights the vulnerable state of immigrants in a completely new world.
Judge's Notes
In an accomplished self-portrait Ting Jiang has managed to communicate her concept and feelings with this outstanding work.
Her articulation of her experiences as an immigrant and ability to communicate a sense of muteness through imagery displays a level of sophistication beyond the artist’s years.
There were a number of high quality entrants to the Next Gen Prize and I am honestly astounded by the talent of these young artists.
Jenna Baldock
Next Gen Judge
