I am Winnie Wu, a Chinese girl born in Shanghai and currently a senior at York School in Monterey. Art has been a part of my life since I was around five years old, serving as my way of expressing thoughts, emotions, and memories that words often cannot capture. Having been away from China for a long time, I find myself longing for home, and painting has become a way for me to reconnect with those cherished moments from my childhood.

My work explores nostalgia, and this piece is a tribute to one of my most treasured childhood memories. As a child, I would spend countless afternoons with my friends, playing outside our homes after school. I vividly remember one summer afternoon—we sat on the steps in front of my house, wearing flip-flops and light summer clothes, passing whispers through a colorful Slinky toy as if it were a secret telephone. It was a time of pure joy, simplicity, and trust—free from the complexities of growing up.

This painting reflects my longing for home and my deep appreciation for childhood friendships. The two girls sitting closely together, engaged in quiet conversation, represent the innocence and sincerity of those bonds. Through this piece, I hope to evoke in viewers their own memories of childhood—the warmth of companionship, the magic of small moments, and the friendships that shaped them.