🌏✨ Too Far East is West ✨🌏
Though East and West may appear worlds apart,
if we take the time to truly know one another,
surface-level differences will dissolve into the ether,
revealing the profound connections that bind us at heart.
I believe that bridging this divide can help humanity
solve global challenges, like climate change, with renewed strength and humility.
By sharing my art and heartfelt reflections,
I seek to connect with environmentalists worldwide,
who, through their creativity, become hope personified,
igniting the flames of climate activism with their art and actions.
~ Ying-Ying (Janet) Wu ~
“Dear Ocean, Dear Home”
🌏✨Positivity and music can save the world! ✨🌏
Song: Written, produced by @Jimmubeatz999 (Chuan- Hsi Wu)
Vocals by: Chuan Hsi (Jimmy) Wu
Back Up Vocals by: Ying Ying (Janet) Wu
Illustrations: Created by Janet using Procreate
Video: Edited by Janet using PowerDirector
Lyrics:
(chorus)
Clean water, clear water
Far away from humans
The closer to the land
Closer to the humans
Oil, plastics, sewage
Dead seagulls drenched in oil
Turtles choking on straws
Dolphins eating plastic
(chorus) Seagulls:
Humans burning fuel
Then they turning on their AC
Sorry to our fellows
Things are looking dicey
Humans choose to walk away
Making the bay messy
Oh, turtles struggling
Global warming coming our way
(verse) Daddy Turtle:
Yeah, finally
We reach our land (create a family)
We lay our eggs (on each other)
My dear children will be suffering
But we’re running out of space
Disturbed by the urban place
Right next to the human waste
We can’t even find space
Oh no, where’s my home
On this spoiled island
Hope this ain’t my grave
But we have to be brave
Living in this tight space
Someone warn the human race
(bridge) Baby Crab:
What is the deal?
Why are we all so glum?
So serious?
The world is fascinating!
(chorus)
Clean water, clear water
Far away from humans
The closer to the land
Closer to the humans
Oil, plastics, sewage
Dead seagulls drenched in oil
Turtles choking on straws
Dolphins eating plastic
(chorus) Seagulls:
Humans burning fuel
Then they turning on their AC
Sorry to our fellows
Things are looking dicey
Humans choose to walk away
Making the bay messy
Oh, turtles struggling
Global warming coming our way
(verse):
The Earth is our home
Our one and only home
Let’s get united
Save the precious creatures
Let’s get moving, clean the bay
Volunteer to be the one
Who’s gonna make the first move
Oh, people let’s get involved
Pack your trash up, don’t leave them
Say no to the plastic bags
Tidy up the mess we made
Don’t treat Earth like a landfill
Eat more veggies, less meat
To protect the wildlife
Reduce carbon footprint
Just build good habits, here we go
A Year of “Unreal” Fire and Warming in the Arctic
Artist: Ying-Ying (Janet) Wu
Medium: Procreate
This one-pager is my reflection on the New York Times article “A Year of Unreal Fire and Warming in the Arctic.” Growing up in Taiwan, a tropical country, I’ve always been intrigued by what life is like in colder regions like the Arctic. This article highlights the Arctic region’s unprecedented challenges due to escalating wildfires and warming temperatures. As a passionate advocate for environmental preservation, I believe it is crucial to bring attention to these alarming developments and underscore the urgency of protecting this vital ecosystem. My one-pager advocates for the conservation of the Arctic environment and raises awareness about the critical issues discussed in The New York Times article. By understanding the challenges faced by the Arctic, we can collectively work towards solutions that ensure the sustainability of this vital region and the planet as a whole.
Ming 明 (Brightness)
Artist: Ying-Ying (Janet) Wu
In Taiwanese culture, sky lanterns represent hope, with people writing wishes and lighting paper inside to make them rise. Inspired by this tradition and in memory of my late grandmother, I designed a sky lantern as a meaningful gift for myself and others who lost loved ones without a chance for final words. Each element carries a deep connection to both cultural symbolism and personal sentiment. The lantern’s phrases—like “My name,” “I feel,” “I want to tell you,” and “I hope”—offer a voice to unspoken messages for those no longer with us. Crafting this piece became an act of remembrance and therapy, allowing me to explore grief, hope, and closure tangibly. The colors and imagery evoke warmth and are intended to resonate with anyone who has experienced loss. Ultimately, this project was more than an artistic endeavor; it was an emotional journey, creating a heartfelt tribute to our loved ones.
A Beacon of Hope: The Torch that Lights the Dark
Artist: Ying-Ying (Janet) Wu
The Earth, our home and our dearest friend has been sick for decades. We, humans, are often oblivious to the climate crisis we have created because the awful effects of climate change usually do not directly affect us, especially those of us who can afford air conditioning and filtered water. Howey Ou, a young climate activist, is my Climate Hero because she is a beacon of light for all of us fighting for our planet’s survival. In this painting, I portrayed Howey holding a flaming torch, symbolizing the power of her words. Creating this piece has allowed me to express my admiration for Howey Ou. The bottom half of my illustration symbolizes parts of our planet that irresponsible individuals have destroyed, while the top half conveys the clean and healthy environment that Howey aims to regain for us. When working on the top half, I wanted to convey the gratefulness and hope I feel whenever I read about how Howey uses her willpower and energy to improve the environment.
Harmony in Heaven
Medium: Oil paint, Canvas
This oil painting portrays the ethereal transition between day and night, a heaven-like view. I was inspired by the view of the sky from the bridge connecting Kent School’s campus to Kent Town. Each evening, I experience this wonderous moment during my walk from the dance studio back to campus. This natural beauty always takes my breath away, so I captured this magical scene and preserved it on canvas. Creating Harmony in Heaven allowed me to experiment with soft color blending and textures to convey a sense of hope and infinite possibilities. The delicate interplay between the sky and landscape was both challenging and rewarding as I worked to achieve a natural gradient from dusk to night. The descending sun and emerging stars symbolize the dreams I’ve pursued and the precious memories I’ve made during my high school years at Kent, encapsulating my journey as a senior and soon-to-be graduate.