Q: When did you discover your love for the creative arts? What were some of the initiatives you have participated in at DCB involving art?

Ever since I can remember, I’ve always loved to create; it’s a way for me to reflect, understand and appreciate the things around me. Dulwich has undoubtedly been a great influence in cultivating my personal development with art. From my junior school days of partaking in origami and scrapbooking ECAs to taking on leadership roles in IB – graphic designer for the FRC Helion Robotics Club, student editor of the Media and Publications Club, and designer for the canteen mural project – I was able to explore the diverse ways in which art can be utilised.

Q: What factors came into consideration for you when choosing a major between the creative arts and something more academic?

Naturally, when I mentioned that I wanted to pursue fine art as a university focus, my parents were sceptical about how financially stable I would be. They thought that I could alternatively pursue finance, business or STEM, which I was interested in but a part of me felt intransigent towards. I thought to myself: finding what I feel passionate about at my age is difficult, so if I already found it, why wouldn’t I pursue it? I found the course “Interactive Media Arts” in NYU (which essentially combines art with STEM), and I was ecstatic to see that my parents were happy with this.

Q: How have the teachers and/or university counsellors influenced or supported you in the past few years at DCB?

Looking back, I feel immense gratitude for all the art teachers in Dulwich who pushed me to develop my skills. I think that everyone is somewhat insecure about their work, so the teachers’ encouragement kept me motivated to challenge myself and push harder. I can’t thank Mr Stewart enough for convincing me to take HL Art instead of HL Physics for IB. Not only would I have had to face the gruelling nature of the physics course, but I would also have missed out on an amazing opportunity to explore my love for art. Moreover, my university counsellor, Mr Harmon, was very supportive with my decision to pursue a creative art in university and provided me with plenty of information to guide me through the application process.

Q: What factors did you consider when choosing your best-fit university destination?

Even before I decided on what major I wanted to apply for, I was set on going to NYU. I was enticed by their rich inclusion of the arts, their particularly large number of international students and the abundance of work opportunities provided by the city. Although these factors were incredibly important to me during my research process, there was an undeniable connection I felt with the university when I visited two years ago.

Q: What are your long-term plans or ambitions?

I think that in today’s consumer-centric economy, it’s easy for contemporary artists to lose their artistic identities. Keeping this in mind, my goal is to stay true to my own values and ideas. Regarding my educational and professional plans, I would like to study in graduate school, and from then on, see what career options are available.