Character on Canvas
In this Kid's Art Exhibition showcases the creative expressions of young artists, drawing inspiration from the renowned Japanese artist Yoshimoto Nara. This exhibition features vibrant and imaginative works where children explore the themes of "Cat," "Zodiac," and "Anime." Each piece reflects the influence of Nara's unique style, blending innocence with a touch of rebellion, and capturing the essence of childhood through bold lines and expressive characters. Visitors will be delighted by the originality and depth in these artworks, where the playful worlds of cats, zodiac signs, and anime come to life on canvas.
Matai Nakatsuji
10 years old
Cat Man in Japan
In the bustling city of Tokyo, a teenage boy who was half human, half cat, lived alone in a small apartment. One serene night, he ventured out for a walk, finding solace beneath the starlit sky. As he gazed up at the stars and the majestic silhouette of Mt. Fuji in the distance, the soft outline of a cherry blossom tree rested beside him, its delicate petals swaying gently in the night breeze.
Olivia Lin
10 years old
Hime-Sama (姫様)
Princess Bibi strode along the forest with her attendants beneath the beautiful night, full of shooting stars and with a bright full moon above. But they seemed to be worried about something. Their worried faces darted left to right scanning through the forest as if they were looking for something. It was getting dark, and mosquitos were buzzing around them. But they couldn’t stop now. They had to find the princess’s kittens before the prince gets back from his journey! After another 10 minutes of searching, the attendants started convincing the princess to return to the palace. They told the princess that the king would be worried that they have been gone for over an hour! This struck the princess. At last, they decided to return to the palace, but as they walked sorrowfully back to the palace, they heard a sudden, quiet meow…. At last! The princess found her kittens, James, Sophia and Emily. One of the princess’s attendants took a picture, and that was what formed the painting, Hime-Sama. Hime-Sama (meaning "princess" in Japanese).
Yulah Kim
9.5 years old
Nightmare's Dream
Nightmare is a determined and curious girl with a passion for volleyball. Her dream is to become a famous volleyball player, and she dedicates herself to practice every day. Despite the exhaustion that comes with her intense training, she refuses to give up, pushing through fatigue to improve her skills. Her relentless drive and love for the sport fuel her ambition, making her more resilient with each challenge she faces. Though the journey is tough, her determination to achieve her dream keeps her focused and motivated, proving that she’s willing to give it her all to succeed.
Sloka
13 years old
Pisces on a Canvas
It is inspired by the Zodiac sign of Pisces and tries to re-imagine this iconic zodiac sign as a playful mermaid. In this painting the mermaid is given a pencil that sits on her ear to symbolize my own love for art. The fish in the painting resemble the 2 fish seen in the Pisces Zodiac. The two fish are white because they symbolize a canvas further giving more depth to the theme of art and also acting as a border for the mermaid.The white color contrasts with the color of the mermaid causing the mermaid to be emphasized. There are only 2 plants in this painting, one near the top and the other near the bottom which looks quite similar to the Pisces Zodiac that I was inspired by.
Ryder Chiang
9 years old
Diving Cat
"Diving Cat" is a whimsical art piece featuring a ginger cat donning a playful shark suit as it leaps into an imagined ocean. The vibrant orange of the cat’s fur peeks through the blue-grey tones of the shark costume, creating a fun contrast. The piece captures the cat jump out the water while diving, blending its natural feline grace with a touch of humor as it mimics a shark’s sleek movement. With curious eyes and a hint of mischief, the cat appears ready for an underwater adventure. This lively artwork merges fantasy and fun, celebrating the cat’s playful nature in an unexpected way.
Anita Zhang
13 years old
I Want to Keep Dreaming...
This art piece displays Slack’s most favourite things in his own boundless Dream World; he is able to transport himself to this place whenever he falls asleep granting them access to endless possibilities of his imagination. Slack is a black furred Exotic Shorthair cat as his design depicts those distinctive features such as slightly rounded cat ears, a long rounded cat tail, big circular eyes and a roundish face shape expressed by his short hairstyle. Beforehand, I had already done my research on Exotic Shorthair cats for an information report in school, therefore, I’m very familiar with how they act and their overall behaviour which is why I chose this particular animal for my art project. Exotic Shorthair cats tend to be lazy and unenergetic; the personality my character is based off (that is why his Dream World has multiple colourful beds wandering around along with duplicates of his favourite cat plushie, In context, Slack is the most realistic looking character in the middle who is coloured in black & white; he is coloured differently to stand out and to show that he is the only being in the ‘Dream World’ that exists in reality (he isn’t actually black & white in the real world). The other character that looks similar to Slack except for its colourful design is a chibi version of him that only appears in his Dream World. Chibi Slack only exists because Slack loves themself too. (Artwork idea inspired by the Indie video game, Omori.)
Mina Zhang
11 years old
A World with Faded Colour
In a world of many dimensions, each filled with unique life and wonders, there lived a 10-year-old girl named Flora from a bright, colorful dimension. She was an orphan who loved reading books about geography and history. One day, as she was absorbed in a book, a loud scream echoed from outside. When she looked up, she saw the world falling apart, crumbling before her eyes. Terrified, she ran and hid, closing her eyes tightly. When the chaos stopped, Flora opened them to find everything seemingly back to normal—except the colors had faded from the world, leaving her as the only one still vibrant. Confused and alone, she returned home, only to find no one around. As she read her book, the stories magically came to life, but unaware of what was happening, she soon drifted off to sleep.
Phoebe Zhang
7 years old
The Capricorn Mermaid
"The Capricorn Mermaid" is an enchanting night scene that fuses the Zodiac sign Capricorn with a sense of mystical serenity. A girl with flowing teal hair sits elegantly on the edge of a water fountain, her mermaid tail resting in the tranquil waters. The night sky above sparkles with stars, hinting at the Capricorn constellation. The fountain glows softly in the moonlight, casting shimmering reflections on the wet floor. Her teal hair and ethereal presence add a dreamlike quality, while subtle symbols of Capricorn, such as horns or fish scales, subtly adorn the fountain, creating a balance between earth and water, reality and fantasy.
Monica Hsiao
13 years old
My Cat as a Fairy
This painting is based off my pet cat Pepsi. I have tried to capture her essence in my artwork by giving her a carefree but rebellious personality, as she is in real life. Her wings are painted to be slightly transparent and bug-like, and the flowers underneath her are meant to make her body smaller and more fairy-sized, as well as her hat and dress (both made out of a flower). Her black skin mimics her black fur, and her short hair resembles her short but thick fur.
Cathryn Li
9 years old
Aquarius
This artwork"Aquarius," inspired by the zodiac sign, captures the celestial essence of the water bearer. The girl’s blond hair symbolizes the white and yellow hues of stars, connecting her to the heavens. Adorned with pearl jewelry, she embodies a mermaid princess, a nod to the aquatic nature of Aquarius. The mermaid motif highlights the fluidity and mystique of water, making this piece a harmonious blend of astrology and oceanic beauty.
Charlotte Li
5 years old
Fairy
"Fairy" is a captivating painting inspired by the grace of a Ginger cat, blending the ethereal with the cosmic. The central figure, a delicate fairy with feline features, appears to be in flight through a vibrant galaxy. Her white fur glows softly, harmonizing with the swirling nebulae and stardust that surround her. The galaxy’s rich hues of purple and blues create a dreamy backdrop, while the fairy’s serene expression and outstretched wings convey a sense of freedom and wonder as she drifts weightlessly through the stars.
Luca Li
8 years old
Ramy
The artwork ‘Ramy' inspired by the zodiac sign Aries, "Ramy" transforms the fiery spirit of the Ram into a determined badminton player competing for the championship cup. The character embodies the strength and energy of Aries, with the name "Ramy" adding a playful and endearing touch to this powerful figure. Through this piece, the competitive nature of Aries is brought to life with a fun and dynamic twist.
Emmy Meryl Ting-Tsui
8 years old
Aries Girl
The girl is a young representation of the artist. She is kind but shy, and loves to be in beautiful surroundings. Here she is depicted in a vast green valley picking wildflowers with a Swiss mountain backdrop. She loves to sing and has a creative touch. The girl is wearing a traditional dress and may sing a yodel or two. She also enjoys movement and being active. Freely frolicking in the hills is one of her favourite past times.
Madeline Aloua
9 years old
Happy Uliana
Beneath the shimmering surface, where sunlight dances through rippling waves, Uliana glides effortlessly, exploring her underwater world with grace. The vibrant coral reef is her playground, where she finds endless joy in playing with her friends, weaving between colorful sea anemones and schools of fish. In this serene, hidden realm, the soft echo of waves creates a soothing melody that only she can hear—a secret song of the ocean, far removed from the bustling world above. Here, in the depths, time slows, and peace reigns, as Uliana embraces the beauty and mystery of her tranquil aquatic home.
Ivan Luo
9.5 years old
Crab Football
Once upon a time, there was a zodiac named Griddy, a spirited footballer with striking green eyes and a stature of just one meter. Griddy’s love for football was unmatched, and his record on the field remained undefeated. At the tender age of 10, he left spectators in awe with a breathtaking bicycle kick that secured a goal. Griddy's journey with Crab Football FC began when he was just 1.5 years old, marking the start of an extraordinary career filled with passion and triumph.