'A Winding Path'

Student Reflection

The scripture I chose for my artwork is ‘The Birth of Jesus and Visit of the Magi’ (Matthew 1:18-25, 2:9-12). I created my piece using oil pastels, a medium I’ve been working with for about a year. I enjoy their creamy texture and the way they allow me to build rich, vibrant layers of colour. Pastels also create depth and intensity that can be hard to achieve with other materials.

My inspiration came from Salvador Dalí and his surrealist style. I admire how he combined reality with imagination, and I wanted to capture a similar feeling in my own work. To achieve this, I experimented with baking paper to blend the pastels. This created soft, dreamlike transitions that gave the piece an ethereal, surreal quality.

In my artwork, the Magi are shown as large figures, symbolising their wisdom, influence, and role in spreading the news of the Messiah’s birth. Their presence reminds me of a personal experience in Cambodia, where my family had to move away from conflict near the Thailand border. It was especially important at that time, as my aunt was about to have her baby. Just like the Magi’s journey, this moment taught me about protection, guidance, and the importance of family.