No.1 从“林”开始 JIN Shibo

To attain a verdant forest, one must embark on the journey by planting the very first tree. This single sapling, nurtured by time, will soar in height, expand in girth, and eventually spawn the second and third, all part of a natural cycle of growth and proliferation. Before long, a forest will flourish under the gentle embrace of sun and rain, adding a vibrant splash of green to our world.

My artwork utilizes everyday, accessible elements—flowers, grasses, and leaves—as the collage's cornerstone, representing nature in its broadest context. On the right-hand side, a child diligently waters a young tree, a poignant image that advances leftward, illustrating the sapling's transformation into a mighty tree, ultimately merging with a sprawling, verdant forest. This child, embodying humanity and hope, serves as a poignant reminder that the future holds boundless possibilities—the destiny of our ecosystem and the trajectory of human development are firmly in our grasp. Whether we embrace ecological development, sustainable practices, and the harmonious coexistence between man and nature ultimately depends on the choices we make as a species.

No.2 园丁地球 XIAO Jiayi

For my first piece, I've crafted a circular mosaic of flowers in an array of hhttps://mp.weixin.qq.com/s/J1XIzYC6lf3Dygh96lMlyAues, symbolizing our planet Earth. This floral-clad globe embodies the beauty of our ecosystem and civilization. Recognizing that a solitary Earth image alone couldn't encapsulate the essence of 'sowing,' I've adorned its flanks with a pair of wings, evoking Earth as a messenger, dynamically disseminating its splendor across the vast expanse of the universe. The backdrop is a celestial canvas, adorned with tiny flowers as stars and delicate flower stems mimicking shooting meteors.

The second creation, a cherry blossom fan, leans towards the practical yet aesthetic. With beauty as my paramount concern, I allowed the concept to take a backseat. The left side of the fan serves as the focal point, adorned with a myriad of cherry blossoms in various forms, interspersed with verdant green leaves for contrast and accentuation. Finding the composition slightly lacking, I added a strip of cherry blossoms along the right edge, using elongated leaves to contour the border's curve, resulting in a visually stunning piece.

No.3 铁塔的花语 ZHU Qihao

This is a pressed flower artwork inspired by the Eiffel Tower, a creation ignited by the anticipation of the upcoming Paris Olympics. The pursuit of green initiatives has always been a cornerstone of the Olympic Games, and the 2024 Paris Olympics embodies this commitment with a remarkable 95% of its venues utilizing existing or temporary structures, eschewing the construction of permanent new ones—a testament to minimizing carbon emissions and energy consumption.

Inspired by this eco-friendly endeavor, I sought to fuse the iconic Eiffel Tower of Paris with the beauty of flora, conveying my vision of harmony between humanity and ecology. For the backdrop, I chose a romantic hue of purple, framing the piece with grass blades, symbolizing the laurels of Olympic glory. The tower's main structure is meticulously crafted from flower stems and leaves, its summit adorned with a flourish of blooming flowers, culminating in a delicate white blossom at the pinnacle. As white represents equality in the French tricolor flag, I aspire that viewers of this pressed flower artwork will be inspired to embrace an egalitarian mindset.

No.4 叶舞娘GANBOLD DAVKHARBAYAR

In the heart of bustling Shanghai, within the tranquil confines of Tongji University's Siping campus, a unique artistic creation emerges to captivate the senses and provoke contemplation.Nestled amidst the modern architecture and academic vigor lies a testament to the harmonious coexistence of nature and human creativity—a stunning portrayal of a lady in a dress, fashioned entirely from meticulously selected leaves found within the campus grounds.

The genesis of this botanical masterpiece begins with a careful exploration of the university's verdant landscape. Every leaf, carefully handpicked, bears witness to the rich biodiversity thriving within this urban oasis. From the towering trees lining pathways to the hidden corners adorned with shrubbery, each foliage type contributes its unique texture and hue to the composition

No.5 黛玉葬花 WANG Xinyan

The scene of Daiyu Burying Flowers has long been a beloved and oft-discussed episode in the classic novel Dream of the Red Mansions, renowned for its seamless blend of floral elegance, human beauty, emotional depth, and spiritual purity. In the context of our Ecology and Culture course, where the intricate interplay between nature and humanities is frequently highlighted, I cannot help but draw parallels between Daiyu's poignant lament over the fleeting fate of fallen blossoms and her profound yearning for spiritual freedom. Her poignant question, Where, at the end of the earth, lies a fragrant mound for these flowers? is followed by her resolute decision to Gather their fleeting beauty in a silk bag, cover their glory with a handful of pure earth, reflecting her belief that Purity comes and goes in purity, far better than sinking into mud and mire.

Yet, when contemplating the ephemeral nature of beauty and innocence exemplified by flowers, one wonders if there are destinies beyond their eventual demise into obscurity or degradation. It is heartening to consider that we can transform these doomed blossoms and leaves into pressed flower art, preserving their vivacity and splendor for eternity, thereby honoring the fleeting beauty of springtime on the boughs.

No.6 季节的蜕变  TIANG TZE LING

The butterfly, a symbol of metamorphosis and renewal, is an apt representation of this journey. Each quadrant of its wing captures the essence of Spring, Summer, Autumn, and Winter. The plain background highlights the flowers' delicate beauty and intricate details, allowing their story to unfold without distraction.

I chose Baby’s Breath for the butterfly's body, symbolizing everlasting love and innocence. This delicate flower was selected for its subtle beauty and profound meaning, highlighting the purity and enduring nature of life’s cycles.

Spring: Bursting with soft pastel hues, the flowers embody the renewal and exuberance of Spring, a reminder that after every hardship, there is always a season of rejuvenation.

Summer: Lush greens reflect the vitality and abundance of life, evoking long, warm days filled with energy. The leaves symbolize the peak of nature’s cycle, capturing the essence of flourishing and thriving life.

Autumn: Adorned with rich reds and oranges, it depicts the warm, earthy tones of the season. Autumn is a time of harvest and reflection, symbolized by falling leaves and mature blooms. Nature transforms into a tapestry of deep, reflective colours, teaching us about the beauty of change and the necessity of letting go, reminding us of life’s cyclical nature.

Winter: Featuring muted whites and pale blues, it represents the serenity of Winter. The delicate flowers symbolise the elegance of frost and snow, a time of rest and reflection. Winter, though seemingly dormant, holds the promise of renewal and new beginnings.

This piece of art is personal to me, capturing my journey of discovery and transformation. Each petal and leaf pressed into the butterfly’s wings marks my evolving understanding and appreciation of the seasons. Back home, it was always warm with sporadic rain, devoid of the dramatic shifts of the temperate climate. Witnessing the full cycle of seasons in China for the first time has been a transformative experience, teaching me the beauty of change and the resilience of nature.

Each season, with its unique charm and lesson, is a testament to life’s perpetual transformation. The butterfly symbolizes my metamorphosis—from the unchanging warmth of my homeland to the dynamic, ever-shifting seasons of China. It underscores the power of new experiences and their profound impact on our lives and perspectives.

No.7 Press Flower Project  SOESANTA GABRIELA BELLA

In this press flower project, the artwork is centered around a floral design with green leaves, set against a bright yellow backdrop. The bright and bold yellow background which contrasts with the floral design immediately draws attention, providing a contrast to the natural colors of the plant materials used. The center focus is a symmetrical, radial arrangement of various flowers and leaves, while the center flower arrangement itself is done abstractly, which indicates perfection in imperfection.

There are various elements used in this press flower project, such as various kinds of flowers, leaves, the backdrop, and additional decorative lines. Each of these elements represents a different meaning.

No.8 雪鸮  WANG Chenqi

Snowy owls, naturally inhabiting the frigid temperate woodlands, thrive on a diet of lemmings, snow hares, and other such creatures, serving as iconic representatives of both polar and temperate coniferous climates. However, their habitat has dwindled due to human exploitation and destruction of alpine regions, coupled with captures for exhibition purposes, leading to a precipitous decline in wild snowy owl populations. Consequently, they are now classified as a nationally protected, second-class wildlife species. My hometown, Heilongjiang, once boasted a thriving population of these magnificent birds decades ago, but today, their sightings are confined to the remotest corners of the mountains and forests.

In this artwork, I've utilized the daisy's flower head to mimic the large, round, and nocturnally adept eyes of owls, particularly those belonging to the Strigidae family. Furthermore, I've sourced silvery, feather-like leaves to symbolize the insulating plumage that coats the snowy owl's body, shielding it from the harsh cold. This intertwining of plant and animal motifs underscores the intimate connection between nature's kingdoms and serves as a testament to the importance of preserving ecological balance and safeguarding the natural habitats of both flora and fauna. By depicting wildlife through the medium of plant life, I aim to convey a message of environmental conservation and the urgency to maintain the undisturbed growth spaces for all living creatures.

No.9 夜鹭  LIU Haotian

The Night Heron, a medium-sized aquatic bird, is characterized by its slender beak, a short neck connecting its head to its stocky body, earning it the endearing nickname Chinese Countryside Penguin among observers. This aquatic hunter feeds primarily on fish. In the pressed flower artwork titled The Night Heron, an innovative use of bamboo leaves forms the essence of the bird's body, while branches and foliage delicately sculpt its wings, capturing a vivid scene of the Night Heron fishing by the waterside in its natural habitat. The piece aims to evoke the dynamic beauty of this moment, illustrating the harmonious workings of nature's laws and cycles.

No.10 小王子   LI Ruiju

Crafted from a tapestry of yellow and pink blossoms, the B-612 planet embodies the dreamy hues that captivated our hearts upon first reading The Little Prince as children. The circling green leaflets symbolize the ethereal rings of countless cosmic dust that adorn the planet's orbit. The embedded dead branches, reborn with purpose, serve as the sole pillar for the Rose's proud head, once adorned with layers upon layers of petals of varying sizes, each a testament to her love for beauty.

It's not that I sought to deprive her of this right, rendering her seemingly monotonous. Rather, she herself, with her own ingenuity, pieced together her petals to create a long scarf, wrapping it around the Little Prince's neck. I inquired, Why did you do this? She replied, The Little Prince is leaving B-612.

There he sits, silently on his solitary planet, gazing into the vast expanse of the universe, contemplating the myriad worlds that dot the night sky. What lies beyond, in those distant orbs? The red scarf flutters gently in the breeze, and this evening mirrors the countless tranquil nights they have shared together.

No.11 Dance of Wellbeing  JUKENOVA YASMIN

When the moon rises in the dark blue sky, everything comes alive. It was a hot summerday, so after absorbing the energy of the moonlight, the elements of nature start their dance.

In this artwork, complementary colors such as blue, orange, green, and violet were used.The background and composition elements were prepared with the help of cardboard paper.The paper also contains glitter, which expresses the glow of moonlight in the painting.Inspired by the mountainous landscapes of my hometown, Almaty, Kazakhstan, a picturesque composition was created. In the front, delicate light pink sakura flowers welcome you. They represent hopes and love, blending into a continuous field of pink flowers, symbolizing endless hopes and the notion that you should never give up. Purple blue flowers nearby imitate good health, which is very important, so they grow tall and strong.

In the background, powerful mountains rise, symbolizing strength and determination. At the center is a full orange moon, brimming with light, energy, and goals. It serves as a guide for life, something you can rely on. The moon dances with white clouds that signify dreams,eager to meet the moon and finally come true. White gypsophila and little narcissus were used for the clouds; these small, delicate flowers represent airiness and lightness.

Finally, in the middle of the scene, two lovebirds dance in the air, highlighting the importance of loved and trusted ones in your life. Without their support, there is no balance.

No.12 Her Nature’s Embrace  SAI HEIN THIHA SWE

Based on the provided theme Sewing Beauty, I created a girl silhouette with a flower on one side of her ear, staring down among the leaves of various plants. Lost and confused, among the nature. I tried to convey the idea of finding beauty and solace in the natural world, even when one feels lost or uncertain.

The artwork is set on a vibrant red background, which is chosen to symbolize the intensity and passion of nature, highlighting its beauty and vibrancy. I cut out the girl's silhouette from purple paper to create a striking image that immediately draws attention. The contrast between the red background and the purple silhouette makes the girl stand out, resulting in her presence emphasized amidst the natural elements.

No.13 SEWING EARTH IN BLOOM  WANG Yaxin

The concept stemmed from how I personally interpreted the topic of the task: sowing beauty. I wanted to show that the Earth in bloom was only possible if we sow the seeds first by fighting climate change, pollution, and all the other environmental crises we need to resolve.

The foundational background of my design is a paper bag that symbolizes the shift towards more sustainable practices that minimizes pollution and the negative impacts of human activity. Looking down we can see the bottom has a wave design to show the ephemeral nature of beauty but also how despite our advances, we do not control nature,but instead at its mercy。

No.14 大鱼海棠  Mona AMBLARD 

ogether, an image of a silky, graceful subject came to mind when thinking about the topic for the assignment. I thought of what creature could be part of the natural environement and share this vibrant pick colour. A cute image of a fish arose, specifically those with long, silk like fins that appear almost silver.

I assembled primarily the pink petals with the suma leaves to create the fins. As for the scales, I opted for colour pencils. Using various shades of pink, red and yellow to create the fish’s silhouette and form. All was done on a pastel blue paper as the background, a clear intention to represent water.

No.15 Beauty must be nature VICHITVIKROM PIMSAI

My work depicts a kitten joyfully nestled among a profusion of flowers in a garden. Cats, though fundamentally a wild animals that are now mainly pets and are mostly kept indoors. This situation can lead to stress and sometimes desire to explore and experience life more naturally. So I wanted to illustrate cats, which are creatures that should be more freely. So, the work shows the cat that is surrounded by lovely flower gardens and enjoying life in that moment. I used pink flowers as the main color to show lovelyness and white flower to show the sense of innocence. And I added leaves to add a feeling of natural background.

No.16 Blooming Beauty  Aye Nyein Thu

Being pregnant and raising a baby is like sowing a plant that will bloom beautifully. Just like every seed holds the potential for a unique flower, every child carries their own special talents and personality. By providing good foundation and nurturing, a child will become a valuable human being with a beautiful heart just like lovely flowers that have good soil, right amount of sunlight, water, and nutrients.

According to our theme title “Sowing Beauty”, I got the above idea and I illustrated a pregnant woman with some Rice Flowers for her hair and the petals of Camellia for her womb. Plugging each petal and arranging them carefully is to let the viewers focus more on the womb which is the seed of beauty. To illustrate a home, I used Lepidium ruderale around the woman and some Rice Flowers at the bottom. Being pregnant and raising a child is the true essence of Sowing Beauty a testament to the transformative power of love, nurturing, and finally which leads to “Blooming Beauty”.

No.17 Beauty of Architecture Maria Borisova

My work represents one of the most iconic symbols of my country—the Russian Orthodox Church. This style of religious architecture is everywhere in Russia and is deeply connected to our history. Being far from home has made me truly appreciate the beauty and significance of the Russian church. It reflects the magnificence of our ancient history and embodies the soul and spirit of our people. As an architecture student, I have special interest in Russian Orthodox Church. Its beauty lies not only in its untouched white façade and golden domes, which shimmer in the sunlight, but also in the rich history and cultural heritage it holds. For my artwork, I chose leaves and petals in light shades to symbolize purity and sincerity, qualities that are intrinsic to the church's spiritual essence. The background is a warm yellow hue, representing the sun, majesty, and wealth, reflecting the church's role as a source of light and guidance.

In the foreground, I depicted an array of flowers and leaves to represent bushes and trees that often surround these buildings, emphasizing their harmonious connection with nature. Among the flowers, the blue blossoms stand out, representing lilacs, which are commonly found in Russia and hold a special place in our cultural and natural heritage. Through this work, I wanted to highlight not only the architectural beauty of the Russian Orthodox Church but also its historical and cultural significance.

No.18 岁月如梭 JIN Yang

This pressed flower artwork draws inspiration from the poignant lyric in the musical Hamilton: Why do you write like you're running out of time. At its centerpiece lies a clock, its hour hand pointing to 18:04, a poignant reminder of the year 1804 when Alexander Hamilton's life came to a tragic end. This moment not only marks the passing of a great figure but also signifies the culmination of an era.

The contours of this clock are delicately traced by the petals of hydrangeas, each petal akin to a fragment of time, subtly conveying the invaluable essence of every passing second. Through the intricate art of pressed flowers and profound silhouettes, this work endeavors to impart a profound message about the fleeting nature of time.

Every petal, every silhouette, whispers tales of time's relentless march, urging us to cherish every fleeting moment. For it is these very instants that weave the fabric of our lives, forming a tapestry rich in experiences and memories.

No.19 Origin of the beauty Hanová Ya Jun

Dreams are always considered beautiful. When people talk about something they really like, they will say: “It feels like a dream!” Girls can feel like a princess in beautiful dresses, boys will be excited while driving a good car.

People have different kind of dreams, usually related to something they like or wish to see, something they wish to come true. They are inspiration, yearns and desires that comes from the deep within the soul, something beyond reality.

Everyone has different opinion about what is beauty, it is based on the internal and external value people give to it. In our dreams, we can travel in time and space, meet love ones, explore unknown territories, and fulfill our expectations. The world of dreams is colorful, filled with fantasy and romance, leaving us captivated and longing to return.

Dreams are a true reflection of our inner selves, reflecting our emotions, desires, and pursuits. Beauty is our recognition and appreciation of these inner worlds. When we pursue beauty in our dreams or discover it in real life, we gain a deeper understanding of ourselves, our lives, and the efforts we should make in order for dreams to come true.

No.20 Leaves of LifeWATKINSON CHLOE HWANG

In this art piece, through embossing, I sought to capture the essence of a gecko using the delicate and natural medium of dried leaves and flowers. Inspired by the charm and beauty of these tiny creatures, particularly influenced by my best friend's pet gecko, and the geckos which I have encountered during my travels, I endeavored to convey their uniqueness and allure through intricate botanical composition.

No.21 鱼觅落花下 XU LYNN

This piece depicts a scene of koi fish swimming underneath flowers scattered on the surface of calm water. It uses a bright red background as a point of interest, creating high visual contrast and adding vibrancy to the peaceful scene. Individual flower petals are used to create the white and yellow patches of fish scales, while some areas are left empty to utilize the background as red scales. The use of individual petals also adds an interesting collage-like detail to the fish, adding a sense of depth and realism. On the other hand, the lotus flowers are created using whole flowers that further differentiates the lotus from the fish. This also gives the sense that the viewer is seeing the fish below the water surface and the lotus above the surface, where the image of the fish is blurry and less whole than that of the lotus. Some greenery and loose petals are depicted as well in order to add to this sense of the fish being underneath water.

The two key motifs, the fish and lotus flowers, evoke emotion that draws from symbolism in Chinese culture. In Chinese culture, koi fish hold significant symbolism and are revered for good fortune and prosperity, as their energetic colours are associated with wealth and success. They are also often linked to perseverance and growth due to their ability to successfully swim upstream against strong currents, representing the ability to overcome adversity and achieve one’s goals. Finally, they may also be associated with longevity and good health because of their long lifespans.

No.22 斗牛 FU ZHANG HAO

The tradition of bullfighting in Spain has its roots deeply embedded in the country's ancient religious rituals, later evolving into a spectacular bull-running performance. The period from March to November annually marks the celebration of Spain's Bullfighting Festival, where the majestic bulls have become an iconic symbol of Spanish culture.

The backdrop of this narrative seamlessly integrates the colors of the Spanish flag, creating a harmonious juxtaposition between a living creature and a national emblem, which aptly aligns with the theme of our course, Ecology and Culture. This fusion underscores the intricate relationship between natural elements and the cultural heritage that shapes a nation's identity.

Relevant newsletter: https://mp.weixin.qq.com/s/J1XIzYC6lf3Dygh96lMlyA

Course Professor: CHEN Jing