Mixed media, 2026
Jessica Lai Kit Mun
Peirce Secondary School
In this watercolour and mixed media work, Jessica reimagines her family and pets within the nonsensical landscape of Alice’s Adventures in Wonderland. By casting herself and her daughter as both Alice and the wanderer, she explores the shifting duality of mother and child — at once guide and explorer, protector and participant. Jessica also appears as the Hatter, while a family cat assumes the role of Dinah, and a pair of birds photographed on holiday are transformed into Tweedledee and Tweedledum.
These figures move through a world shaped by a cinematic blue palette and tactile, collaged mushrooms that anchor the narrative. Together, they evoke the adult’s longing for the lightness and freedom of childhood, while acknowledging the open, “yet-to-happen” potential carried by the young.
The work suggests that both stages of life demand a leap of faith. The adult must overcome hesitation and doubt to reclaim agency, while the child navigates the uncertainty of choices still unfolding. Each figure is captured in a moment of suspended action — poised to take a “bite of the mushroom” despite frustration or fear. Through this reimagined mythology, Jessica reflects on growth and change as matters of perspective, reminding us that transformation begins with the courage to act for oneself.
What surprised you when you allowed yourself to start with play?
When I started with play, I discovered that there was no pressure to “get it right”. I could just experiment with as many explorations as came to mind. I let my curiosity lead me and thoroughly enjoyed the process.
What is one play hack you would like to share to help fellow teacher-artists experiment and create without expectations?
One play hack I would like to share is that deadlines are a valuable tool to stop overthinking and start deciding. Exhibition work requires careful editing because cluttered visuals can confuse the viewer. To ensure clarity, constantly check that your final aesthetic choices align with your original artistic message.
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