Darlington sophomore JC Wang has won first place in the 14th District Congressional Art Competition with his original charcoal reduction piece, "Wrinkles." Wang's work was chosen from a selection of student art representing every high school in the district.
The awards were announced by Rep. Tom Graves (R-GA-14) at a reception last month at the Cultural Arts Center in Rockmart, Ga.
"Wrinkles" will represent the congressional district in northwest Georgia and hang in the Cannon House Office Building tunnel to the U.S. Capitol. Wang's artwork will remain on the premises for one year, and hang alongside pieces from each congressional district across the country.
"This means the world—it is an honor," said Wang. "My family in China was really excited to hear the news."
As first-place winner, the Darlington student has also been offered a scholarship to both the Art Institute of Atlanta and the Savannah College of Art and Design.
"Initially JC was reluctant to produce this work of art," said Kathy O'Mara, Darlington's Upper School art teacher and Wang's Art 3 instructor. "He has an incredible artistic voice and is still learning to meet challenges, discovering that influences come from a lot of different places."
Wang, also a photographer, drew inspiration for "Wrinkles" from a photograph he took from a series based on everyday life back home in Luoyang in China's Henan province.
"One day I was taking pictures of the people in my city to see what they were doing. I saw some cleaning the streets, some standing around, some having fun," said Wang. "I saw [the subject] just sitting there. And she's always sitting."
An independent panel of judges was appointed by Rockmart's Cultural Arts Center to select the competition's winners.
"The thing that sets JC apart from other students is that he is completely immersed in the art world," said O'Mara. "He is constantly doing research about other artists, visiting galleries, going online and discovering. He finds energy in talking about contemporary artists."
After Wang graduates from high school, he plans to attend the Art Center College of Design in Pasadena, Calif., where he would like to major in product design and work in the product design field.
"I'm continually impressed by the talented young people of the 14th District,” said Rep. Graves. “I look forward to seeing JC’s work represent northwest Georgia in the Capitol for the next year.”
Wang has attended Darlington since the beginning of his freshman year. He is a resident student in Neville House and holds membership in the Yearbook Club and National Art Honor Society. He is the son of Shaomei Hao and Zhi Wang of Luoyang, China.
"I'm looking forward to seeing what happens with JC's art as he gains more maturity, insight and experience, both in China and in the studios of Darlington School," added O'Mara.
Click here to read more about the competition.
