Online Gallery – Group C (Ages 15–18)
Welcome to the online gallery of the 2026 Atlantic Youth Art Festival. Below are the artworks of our young artists, presented alongside their own artist statements. Works appear in exhibition order — every voice shown equally.
“The World We Carry”
by Adwita T · Exhibit No. 3
Within every person exists an unseen world that is fragile, alive and interconnected. This piece explores the landscapes we carry within ourselves, where memories bloom into flowers, thoughts become forests and every living thing is connected with a single heartbeat. It reminds us that caring for ourselves also means to care for the world we hold.
“Beyond the Garden Gates”
by Matthew Zhang · Exhibit No. 16
My artwork explores the connection between people and nature. Inspired by peaceful gardens, I tried using roses and a winding path to symbolize growth, hope, and life’s journey, creating a calm and reflective atmosphere.
“Human Finds Grass”
by Henry Dean · Exhibit No. 21
This work is about people’s connection to nature. I think that humans are connected to nature because humans are animals, with fundamental instincts to perpetuate ourselves by hunting, gathering and reproducing as much as we can. However, I see some irony in that too, because the human instinct to take as much as you can get is what is currently causing the destruction of nature. I made this painting to remind people of our nature as animals so efficient that we’ll eat until the ground is dead, and then we’ll pull the last piece of grass out of the dirt and eat it too.
“Who Do You See?”
by Daisy Zhao · Exhibit No. 24
My artwork explores the conflict between gender identity and society’s perception of gender. Society often judges people based on appearance and traditional gender expectations, which may be completely different from how they truly identify. Through the mirrors, I show this gap and ask viewers to consider: are we seeing the real person, or the person society expects them to be.
“Eternal Life”
by Maggie Kat Anderson · Exhibit No. 30
The art piece I have created depicts the connection of body, structure and soul in a living creature. To portray this I decided to construct a panther into three parts. The physical body was illustrated in value to depict surface level being, hydrothermal colours were used to depict structure, and the soul was created with mystical swirls to depict a soul.
“The Dawn Light At Peggys Cove”
by Matthew Zhang · Exhibit No. 35
My artwork shows the connection between people and nature. Inspired by the quiet beauty of the ocean, lighthouse, and night sky, I wanted to express solitude, reflection, and how nature can bring comfort and peace.
“Accord”
by Adritha Kundha · Exhibit No. 37
The painting illustrates the connections between the natural world and people by showcasing a version of human existence that respects and coexists with nature rather than disturbing and trying to conquer it. In the painting a cozy cabin sits safely on a rocky cliff beside a rushing waterfall and a clear lake reflecting a sky that glistens with a stunning full moon and the bright greens and purples of the northern lights. This serves as a portrayal of nature’s beauty when left undisturbed by harmful human activity. This painting represents a peaceful reminder that when we live in harmony with nature, instead of damaging it, we are granted with its raw beauty and a lasting sense of peace.
“A New Tide”
by Alison McQuistan · Exhibit No. 48
I painted a picture of me going into the ocean for the fist time in nova Scotia after moving here from Ontario
“Bound by desire”
by Adritha Kundha · Exhibit No. 50
The painting symbolises connections between people through distinct hands reaching towards a glowing orb. While these hands represent diverse individuals, they are connected by the shared human tendency of greed and ambition. They all have a common goal – the golden orb representing material wealth. In the pursuit of success, they tend to forget what they already have and neglect or turn away from simple joys in life. At the bottom, the dark soil and dying plants represent our shared roots—like helping our neighbors, honoring our traditions, and enjoying the simple friendships we already have. Instead of taking care of this common ground, people ignore it because they don’t see a quick, shiny reward in the soil. Rather than forming cooperative bonds, these hands are isolated in the dark, held together only by their competitive scramble for the same object of desire. This illustrates how the pursuit of individual wealth can ultimately sever the natural social connections that bind a community together.