One Voice, Burning for Freedom

by Natalia Recinos Chang

Honorable Mention, 2D Visual Art, Create | Encounter 2025

Artist Statement:

My work is a calligraphic portrait of Yeonmi Park, a North Korean defector and human rights activist. The portrait is composed using the text (instead of lines) from her speech at the Oslo Freedom Forum and the One Young World Summit, where she implores the world to raise awareness about the ongoing human rights crisis in North Korea. Through her native clothing and a heart burning with the colors of the North Korean flag, I symbolize both the rebellion and the transformative power of sacrifice. The fire represents the fervent desire for change, while the silhouette of North Korea, marked with the word "one," signifies both the One Young World logo and the hope for reunification – a dream of unity and freedom for all North Koreans. This piece seeks to honor the voices of those who continue to endure oppression and to inspire action toward their liberation.