April Gong (’23)

How did you first react when you heard you won the award?

I was very honored to receive the silver key. Also I didn’t expect to win anything, so it was kind of exciting

What was your favorite piece you submitted this year?

Probably the one that won the silver key [called “Chain-link Fence.”] [I was] walking one day and saw the bird and took a picture, and just drew that. I used oil paint, it was a black and white oil painting on cardboard.

What were the messages or themes you wanted to convey through your piece?

[The bird’s] expression [was compelling for me] and was kind of wistful. [Because it] was on the fence, part of the bird is thinking of freedom and this represents the theme of change. While the bird relies on the fence [for] support, it’s also a trap and it’s also the thing that doesn’t allow it to be free.