Goh Yuqian

Theme: Alternate Perspectives

Artist statement:

In my artwork, I explored the ripple effects of organ donation by moving beyond a literal depiction of a heart transplant and instead focusing on the emotional and communal connections it creates. I wanted the piece to reflect not just the donor and recipient, but also the broader systems of care and human connection that surround such an act. Through abstraction and symbolism, I aimed to show how organ donation extends far beyond a single moment, shaping lives in ways that are both visible and unseen. The two central female figures are key to this idea. The upper figure represents both a blood vessel and the donor. I designed her form to feel fluid and continuous, almost as if she is part of a living system rather than an individual. Her flowing hair and positioning suggest movement and the transfer of life, emphasising that donation is not an ending but a continuation. She becomes a pathway through which life travels, symbolising the beginning of a ripple effect that reaches far beyond herself. The lower figure represents recovery and care rather than just the recipient alone. I intentionally designed her hair to resemble hospital bandages, which symbolises healing and the medical support involved in transplantation. This choice allowed me to highlight the role of healthcare workers and caregivers, showing that organ donation is supported by an entire community. I wanted to shift the focus from a two person exchange to something much larger, where care is shared and collective. Both figures wore dresses in colours inspired by blood vessels, which visually connects them. This was important to me because I wanted to show that the donor and recipient are not separate, but part of the same continuous system. Their shared colours create a sense of unity and reinforce the idea that organ donation forms a lasting bond between people. At the center of the composition, I created a subtle heart shape using the flow of their hair. This detail represents love as the core of the entire piece. It is not immediately obvious, which reflects how the emotional impact of organ donation can be quiet and gradual. I wanted the heart to feel discovered rather than imposed, symbolising how compassion exists in the connection between people rather than in any single individual.

My work is also inspired by Thomas Francis Dicksee’s depiction of Aphrodite particularly in the use of flowing fabric and the soft, ethereal composition. By referencing Aphrodite, the goddess of love, I connect the idea of a heart transplant to a deeper theme of love and selflessness. The floating cloth adds a sense of lightness and transcendence, suggesting that the act of giving life goes beyond the physical.

In the background, I included crest-like forms with two stems joining into one structure. This represents the connection formed through organ donation and the way two lives become intertwined. The roses surrounding the piece further reinforce the theme of love, as they are a widely recognised symbol of compassion and care.

Overall, my artwork reflects how organ donation creates connections that extend beyond the donor and recipient. It shows how care is shared across individuals and communities, and how a single act of compassion can ripple outward to shape many lives.

About the Artist

Goh Yuqian, 16
Fairfield Methodist Secondary School