A dark-haired toddler in a light blue overall and white shirt is in the front of the frame. Behind them, a swirling pattern in green, white, blue, white and yellow.

Ruixin Chen

Age 15

Climbing Through, 2025

Oil paint on canvas | Unframed: 326 x 19 cm

Ruixin says: "This portrait shows me at around three years old, created as a way to reconnect with my early childhood and reflect on how much I’ve grown. Inspired by a photo on my mum’s phone, I aimed to capture not just my appearance, but the curiosity, warmth, and innocence of the time. The colourful, swirling background — the net I climbed in an indoor playground — represents the energy and wonder that I remember. Painting it helped me appreciate how far I’ve come and the journey still to come.".