Discovering a future in art

'Endless time, distorted space, sour loneliness and embarrassing youth.' This was my life before I picked up a pencil and started to sketch the world as I saw it.

Nine years ago, my home life was unsettled. My mother, a hard-working businesswoman, struggled to earn for our single-parent family. I felt constantly challenged by new environments, new people and languages.

But growing up in different, I learned to be a good listener and observer. Drawing and painting became my communication tools, and I tried to do it as honestly as I could. When I was nine, I took part in my first competition. I never expected my little sketch for the school book fair could win.

The experience made me more confident. By doing art projects and joining the drawing club at primary school, I made friends with people from different backgrounds. Graphic design became my dream job.

High school was the turning point. I came to Hong Kong and started at American International School. It was my first year in a full-English curriculum school, and I had a lot of learning difficulties and found communication difficult at times. But before too long, I had I integrated with help of my fellow students and my teachers.

In my senior year, as my computer skills steadily improved, I began to experiment with the rules of graphic design. I am involved with various art activities. I am a leader of an advertising group, a member of the Art Design Club and I designed the school yearbook.

This means I have to be not only creative but also responsible and get things done. At a teacher's suggestion, I organised and conducted a free Photoshop workshop.

All these experiences have inspired me to continue to study the visual arts. I feel ready to go on to a higher level and take to the stage in the greater world of art.

The Arts Ambassadors-in-School Scheme is organised by the Hong Kong Arts Development Council (HKADC). It encourages students to take their passion for the arts beyond campuses and into the wider community.

The ambassadors will take part in a series of arts programmes during the school holidays.