Live again by Toni Wang

My name is Toni Wang and I’m a 13-year-old girl. I was born in Australia but then traveled back to China because of a family issue and returned here when I was 9. When I came back to this familiar place, I felt left out and didn’t understand the language so I had a complicated and tough time. This artwork is about the strength and hope inside me.

It reflects a time in grade 4 when I had no friends and no one to talk to. I was getting E’s in every subject and I had a bunch of homework from teachers, making me suffer. I felt desperate. I knew this was what I chose. A ray of light shone on me; it felt like a knife on my neck, as if I was about to pass out. Suddenly, I remembered a sentence my mum told me: “There is always a way.” So, I stood up again and studied and worked out every day. Finally, I became who I am today: a friendly and nice friend, and an A-student.

I learned one thing: whenever you feel you can’t hold on, believe in yourself and everything will eventually resolve.