Judges' comments

To me, Jie Liu's illustrations are like a meeting. I feel that through the artwork, the artist is telling a personal story. The images are full of details, memories, and symbolism. Events and emotions become artistic objects here, and the main character is the artist.

Ekaterina Borodacheva

These illustrations are whimsical and rich with narrative charm. Jie Liu’s compositions create a dreamlike space where childhood fantasy, nostalgia, and symbolism intertwine effortlessly. The balance of flat color, crisp linework, and surreal elements brings a polished, storybook aesthetic. I particularly appreciate how each piece is dense with visual motifs, yet still readable.

Max Liu

The artist has created a dreamy and sweet fairytale world. Familiar characters from well-known fairy tales can be found throughout the work, reimagined and seamlessly woven into the artist’s own creations. This invites the viewer to journey back to their own childhood, recalling the times spent reading fairy tales. The square composition further enhances the storybook-like atmosphere.

Moon Q

Jie Liu’s work constructs a layered narrative world that combines nostalgic fantasy with subtle satire. The square compositions and frame-like structures give each image the feel of a stage or diorama, while precise linework and soft color palettes balance clarity with dreamlike softness. Recurring characters and symbols — carousel, chessboard, teddy bear — create thematic continuity and invite viewers to decode emotional subtexts beneath the decorative surface. The result is a playful yet thoughtful exploration of memory, control, and childhood imagination.

Nadiia Zhelieznova

This series of works is characterised by the artist's integration of her personal life experiences into the pieces. This gives broad thematic motifs such as 'longing, fantasy, childlike innocence and friendship' a personalised internal expression. The seemingly fragmented visual narrative is organically synthesised through the deliberate arrangement of symbolic elements. The interspersing of key elements that move in and out of the pictorial frame evokes a sense of multidimensional engagement. This approach transcends conventional barriers, enabling a profound, soulful dialogue between viewer and artist.

Yimin Wang

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