Page 6 - Child Art Magazine Transformative Experiences

2015WCF

Michael Wong

Art to Entrepreneurship

My greatest accomplishment was winning the Art Olympiad As children learn to make different forms of art, the
competition back in 2014. The painting portrayed the world more skills they will have in the future. Since the WCF
joined together through playing squash, a racquet sport. encourages children to learn and embrace art, I believe
Winning this competition allowed me to go to meet many that the WF is one step towards a future where art and
international students at the 2015WCF and I was given the significance of art within other disciplines will be more
the opportunity to teach origami. widely embraced.

I still remember seeing many large, white tents being set
up that morning to prepare for the wonderful festival. By
the afternoon, the tents were full of children of all ages
from around the world. I met many students from around
the world and shared my knowledge of origami. They
were so talented, eager to learn, and drawn to new ideas
and techniques. Teaching them reminded me of when I
started origami when I was young.

I began folding origami when I was seven and it has since
been one of my main forms of art. Origami allows me to
visualize how geometric shapes can interact with each
other to create unique complex sculptures. Through years
of experimentation, I have learned that the paper medium
is highly flexible. Even complicated polyhedra such as
icosahedron and dodecahedron are easily replicable. I
won a Scholastic Art Awards National Gold Medal in the
sculpture category through an origami piece.

Since the WCF I have become inspired to apply my
origami skills into other fields such as sculpture and
architecture. I had become fascinated with the transition One challenge I currently face is trying to start my own
of different styles of architecture. So I said to myself: clothing brand. The name of the brand is Bird of Prey and
Wouldn’t it be great to create a piece to showcase such can be found online at birdofpreystudios.com. My main
dramatic shifts? The sculpture I made I called “Old to New.” goal with this project is to create high quality apparel and
accessories using a simplistic and minimalist design.
Instead of sticking with traditional forms of origami, I This project is to prove to the world that children can
decided to break through the limitations and cut out each also be creators and not just consumers. One of the main
individual face to allow for an unlimited amount of shapes challenges aside from starting the brand is getting the
to be created. I was fortunate enough to win a Scholastic name out to the public and differentiating my message
Art Awards National Silver Medal. from other brands. The competition within the clothing
market is extremely high. This makes differentiation
vital to growing my brand.

Michael Wong is a freshman at Scarsdale High
School in Scarsdale, New York. His favorite
hobbies are graphic design, 3D design, origami,
photography, video making... and squash! He is
also an entrepreneur.

4 ChildArt January -March 2017