Tan Shu Jun Merrilyn

Theme: More than Me - Beyond this Life

Merit, School Category, 2019

Artist statement:

My design started when I was shown real-life stories about people who have passed on and had their organs donated to others who needed them. I support the idea of the donor living on in someone else and giving them a second chance in life. A heart is a precious organ, like a priceless jewel, whoever that has the heart should treasure it. Connected to the heart are the red and blue strings, they represent the connection between recipient and the deceased donor. Together they co-exist, the red and blue strings resemble an artery and a vein respectively. The butterfly represents positive transformation, the cocoon is the stage when the organ is transplanted into her new body. The river represents time, it flows like water and yellow represents hope.

A girl's spirit shows the lingering of the living, the footsteps belong to the organ recipient, who is a growing sapling moving forward in life.

About the Artist

Tan Shu Jun Merrilyn, 15
Temasek Secondary School