Adventuring into the unknown

This painting is a representation of my own childhood as a third-culture student of Thai nationality moving
to a contrasting life in New Zealand. Adventuring to an unknown place, my five-year-old self was fascinated
with the cultural differences and enriched nature of the land. Being able to call both places home has shaped
me into an empathetic individual with a broad perspective on our ever-changing world. I wanted to incorporate
stand-out symbols of New Zealand's culture including the well-known kiwi bird, memorable foods like the
pavlova cake and L&P drink, as well as beautiful nature represented by the silver ferns and southern lights in
the night sky. The journey the young Thai girl takes to enter a new place seems mysterious yet alluring,
as it’s unknown to her that she will soon be exposed to new and meaningful experiences that will have an impact
her for years to come. Meaningful memories I cherish have helped develop my morals and values in life, paved
way for my interest in environmentalism, taught me to stand up to those that did not necessarily understand
or accept my Thai culture at first, and to take things slowly.