The question of what China looks like can conjure a vast, abstract image, filled with countless cultural symbols, too numerous to name. Yet, it can also be deeply personal and specific, as seen through the eyes of a young traveler, inspired by his recent journey. Captivated by China's beauty and history, he realized he "had to capture those experiences" through his drawings.

Reflecting on his decision to join the competition, Shawn Gao explained it stemmed from his deep passion for art. "The timing couldn't have been better," he said, calling CGTN's China Through My Eyes Global Children's Art Project the "perfect opportunity" to share his experiences through his art, hoping to convey the wonder he felt during his travels.

"This artwork is a collection of the best sketches I drew this summer during my trip to the Hexi Corridor along the Silk Road," described the 11-year-old, who lives in Manhattan, New York, the United States. Using a black felt-tip pen for outlines on Chinese paper and adding shading with white gouache paint, Shawn recreated the scenes that left a lasting impression on him. His work features the largest Buddha statues from Bingling Temple in Linxia Hui Autonomous Prefecture, Gansu Province near the Yellow River, the front gate of the Jiayuguan Fortress, a horse and carriage from the Xixia Museum, birds and clouds from the Yulin Grottoes, and a beautiful Buddha statue from the Mogao Grottoes in Dunhuang.

"I was utterly mesmerized by the ancient art, particularly the Buddhist-inspired pieces, which seemed to draw me in like magnets. The richness, imagination, and detail in these works left a lasting impression on me, and I felt compelled to bring them to life in my own art," Shawn said.

"Day by day, I filled my drawing pad with sketches of these awe-inspiring artifacts. From statues to intricate carvings, I wanted to capture what I saw and felt during my journey," the 11-year-old shared, adding: "My time in China was not only an incredible learning experience but also a source of endless artistic inspiration. Walking through these historical landmarks, I felt profoundly connected to the past, as if history was unfolding before me with my parents' storytelling."

Judges' opinions:

This piece resembles a visual map of the western regions of China, where the artist represents different museums and historical sites through the most striking impressions they've left on him. These images are artfully arranged together to create the composition. A bronze chariot, a seated Buddha, Jiayuguan, and the Dunhuang Bodhisattva are placed in a path starting from the lower left, moving upward, across to the right, and then downward, forming a "门" (Chinese character of "door") shape. The artwork is unified with earthy tones, capturing the distinctive color palette of the region's loess and desert sands. The imagery is sketched with fluid lines, each location carefully labeled and stamped, in classic Chinese painting style. The depictions are vivid and expressive, with smooth lines, distinct forms, and a balanced, elegant composition, it is worthy of high praise.

Congratulations to Shawn for winning the First Prize in the "China Through My Eyes" Global Children's Art Project!