The WSA Art Achievement is given in June to one or two rising seniors at Wellesley High School who have demonstrated both merit and commitment to their study and practice of the visuals arts. Recipients are invited to participate in the WSA Annual Wellesley Library Show in November. This award dates back to the early days of the WSA and was reestablished again in 2017. The 2025 recipients are Dylan Kim and Ayla Lin.

 

Dylan Kim artist statement:

“A few years ago, my mother found stacks of old photo albums in my grandparents’ house, and gave me a picture of my grandfather and his sister as young children in North Korea. His sister – “Komo,” as everyone called her – passed away recently. The flowers in the piece are a variety of mourning flowers (chrysanthemums, gladioli flowers, and lilies) to honor her memory.

Art History Club took a trip to the Isabella Stewart Gardner Museum a few months ago, and I found a piece of stained glass that depicted many themes from Christian theology. My grandparents are very religious people, which is why I depicted them as stained glass. However, the patterns in the painting are varying. In the “glass” sections of their garments, the lines are more rigid and straight, similar to jogakbo Korean patchwork, representing their attempts at assimilating into Christian and American culture when they moved to Kansas in the 70s.”

 

Ayla Lin artist statement:

“This painting depicts one of my friends. We took this picture at Wellesley College in the middle of winter. Despite the cold, she’s wearing a red strapless dress and open-toed shoes. These choices highlight her determination and perseverance. Her gaze at the viewer shows her intelligence, especially her social intelligence. Elements such as the size of the piece, her jewelry, and her dress all hold emotional significance for her.”

 

 

November Artist Spotlight: Dylan Kim and Ayla Lin