By María Belén Miguel

This doll represents my ancestors. I’m an Argentinian living in Canada, and I was the first one of my family to go back to Bulgaria in 80 years, after my grandmother had to flee the war at 6 years old. This is a painting of a doll I bought for her, hoping it would bring back memories of her childhood in Bardarski Geran, Bulgaria

By Emma Mao

My painting tells a story about Winnie and Piglet, showing what would happen if the 100 acre wood (the forest in Winnie the Pooh) was destroyed. This artwork is about the impact that deforestation has on the environment.

By Sara Rengifo

This painting aims to capture the beauty of nature through the magical and vibrant colours it displays during the fall. It also aims to reflect, on a metaphorical level, the ever-changing nature of life itself and the beauty that can be found even in death.

By Olivia Outlaw

This painting was created from a photograph I took in Spain. A red hibiscus flower fell into an open fountain, creating a beautiful contrast and composition.

By Luciel Zeng

“Fire Watch With Me” is a digital art piece depicting two queer lovers. Standing atop a cliff, the lovers watch their city- the place where they grew up, fell in love, and were cast out of- burn to ashes. They loved the city as much as they loved each other, but the city could not love them back. Their houses must be reduced to debris by now, but they both know they will always have a place to call home in each other and the new life they will create together.

By Nancy (Youyue) He

Stories can be told and passed on in many forms. Written poems, spoken words; flowing water, billowing wind. Nature is one of the most diverse and fascinating vector for carrying stories. On a bright spring day, I ran into this American Robin who was having a mouthful of warms. Were these the first worms he catch in the year? Were these worms for itself to enjoy? Or were they for its loved ones and babies? I do not know, but if you listen closely, you can hear the answer in the wind.

By Emily Xiao

In this art work, I reinterpreted a traditional Chinese ink and wash piece, “Magnolia and Erect Rock.” I sought to infuse it with a vibrant and innovative aesthetic. I used bold, saturated colours and employed a more expressive, textured brushwork technique using acrylic paints, a medium often associated with Western and global art traditions.
This creation stands as a testament to the harmonious fusion of my Western and Eastern cultural identities, weaving a compelling narrative of contrasting upbringings and the ultimate embrace of cultural diversity.

By Anonymous

Through the perspective of a gay boy, Finding My Colours explores the difficulties of forming an identity in a heteronormative society. The story uses colour and form to universalize its emotionality, conveying meaning to readers of diverging experiences. While remaining a piece of queer solidarity, Finding My Colours also highlights the age-old question experienced by all people — who am I?

By Ally Zhao

Uummannaq is a small island on the West coast of Greenland, located near the Greenlandic ice sheet and several glacial runoffs, such as the the Disko Bay shed. Although such Glacial breakage and small icebergs near the port is normal, it poses some difficulties for boaters due to potential damage to structure and the inability of some larger boats to pass through. Ice that is attached and solid to the coastline (shore-fast ice) is an important part of animal habitat and provides a solid platform for hunting. The increase in glacial melting has led to an increase in large icebergs (high risk of tipping over) and rising sea levels, which risk flooding and structural damages to the local community. Uummannaq is a special place with a deep significance as it hosts a rich Inuit and Greenlandic history, as well as a beautiful landscape (and the official house of Santa Clause!)

By Annie Zhang

This artwork relates to the line that separates us and technology, which continues to blur as time flows by. Most of its elements are up for personal interpretation, as every individual has their own separate, complex experiences with the steady advancement of human intelligence that more and more of us seem to depend on. Is it so unfortunate to live in bliss?

By Rawaan Abu-Shaera

This art piece beautifully captures the timeless bond between a mother and child, a connection that transcends mere DNA. In this illustration, the story unfolds uniquely for each viewer, resonating with their own heartfelt relationship. The inspiration behind this piece traces back to a cherished rhyme from my childhood: “because who used to hear you before you could talk? Who used to hold you before you could walk?… No one but your mother.” It serves as a gentle reminder that, regardless of who your mother-figure may be, the profound connection you share with them is everlasting like the constellations of stars. Even when not visible, you can always feel its presence, like an eternal beacon of love.

By Nadia Woodside

An integration of sculptural felting, photography and Photoshop which explores the imaginary fame of an amphibious idol.

By Vanshika Khaitan

Amidst a verdant expanse of lush greenery, the canvas comes alive with the ethereal faces of multicultural women, each telling a unique story. Their features, diverse and beautifully distinct, converge in a harmonious symphony of colors and emotions. The backdrop, a serene blend of nature’s finest shades, is punctuated by vibrant slices of watermelons, symbolizing both the sweetness of life and the shared experiences of womanhood. This abstract painting is not just a visual delight but a poignant commentary on unity, diversity, and the intertwining narratives of women from around the world.

By Jada Gibson

The inspiration behind this piece was “obsolescence”, and I wanted to capture something that, though obsolete, left a mark on the world and influenced life in modern day. Besides being beautiful aesthetically, this old car signifies a forgotten brilliance. We may look at an old car and criticize its lack of simplicity, but without this, modern technology would not be where it is today. Despite its obsolescence today, this old car serves as a reminder that seemingly simple ideas can pave the way for inventions that could change life as we know it.

I was inspired to submit this for the “pulse and palette” contest because innovations in health care stemmed from simple discoveries—as a university student, I believe that I and those around me have the ability to solve the health problems that still plague today’s society. By appreciating the obsolete, we can value those who came before us, and pick up where they left off.

By Aditya Kalra

In her graphic memoir Queen of Snails, Burdock writes, “Underneath the snail’s shell, though, there is a more mutable underbelly of feelings and experiences” (Burdock, 57). Recently, I’ve been fascinated by shell-bearing creatures. In parallel, I’ve also been curious about the idea of a “safe space.” In Burdock’s book, a shell becomes a calcareous casing for a concealed world––both a layer of protection and traversable barrier. The shell bestows upon its insides the purest solitude. As an emblem of safety, I drew two seashells in different positions. Although its spiral chamber can only be partially seen through its opening, we become intimately aware of its hidden space. Frequently, I feel like locking myself in the fetal position and entering an incubated pod of my own arms and legs. As graphic medicine explores the power of experiences, I believe that safety and trust are worthy of discourse and vivid depiction.