Art has followed Ke Ying since junior high. Art helped Ke Ying connect with all her friends since she would teach them gestures such as how to draw a figure. In high school art became more of an independent experience for Ke Ying. As a current senior, her legacy at Pace highlights her love for volunteering, journalism, and Asian heritage by intertwining art and community. She has been a keystone member of the school community by being so passionate about art.
This interview has been edited and condensed.
When did your art journey begin?
I first went to art back in sixth grade, and I just feel like I had started it out as something I do for fun in art class. But I got more into it during the pandemic and in my freshman year of high school. I just fell in love with it. Now I’m in AP art, and I even do outside art contests.
How has art carried you throughout middle school and throughout high school?
In middle school, art really helped me with connecting with all my other friends because I would teach them how to draw a figure or anything. And that was a bonding experience in middle school. But then in high school, I think I was getting more independent because it was not that necessary for socializing. I don’t have any friends to connect with. I just want to focus more on it instead of just doing it as a fun hobby. I started concentrating and spent the majority of my time focusing on doing art.
Where else did you put your art focus? For instance, any special classes, organizations, internships, programs, events, or clubs?
I’m part of SEO, and I put a lot of thought into our schoolwide assemblies. I helped Mr. Zoboi with stage managing the stage for the school assemblies. I also put my art into flyers for the Asian American club as well as the National Honors Society senior committee. I also put my art into cover stories for the Pacer. As previously mentioned, I have taken part in contests around the school and in the city.
Have your artworks been exhibited at art exhibits?
Yes, in two exhibits in Chinatown, named OCA NY Hate Crimes Prevention Art Contest at the Equity Gallery. These exhibits really tie into my culture because I’m Chinese Malaysian. Living in Chinatown exposed me to more of my community and other Asian cultures. I wanted to really tie that back to my art, so I submitted two of my art pieces.
Where do you derive your artistic inspirations?
My inspiration mainly comes from different things. I get inspired by music, movies, shows, and especially Korean dramas. A professional artist that I would like to highlight is Frida Kahlo. She’s a Mexican artist who painted “Viva la Vida.”
