Kevin Poon, a Grade 5 Ferris elementary student, has wowed the organizers of the China-based International Children’s Comics Competition, winning the top prize and beating more than 40,000 other drawings.
For the theme “My beloved partner,” Poon drew himself playing a computer game in a room with his friend Jerry, who is also playing the game on a laptop beside him.
Scattered across the floor are characters coming out of the computer game, and a student is seen walking past trees outside the window, which allows sunlight to enter the room, creating shadows.
“It’s me and my friend playing a game called Roblocks. We like to play video games together. And it’s how we knew each other, because we played that game...I think it is friendship,” said Poon to the Richmond News.
Judges said Poon’s drawing was selected as one of the top ones because it reflected both the real “partner” and virtual ones in the computer game that many children have nowadays.
“I like drawing, because you can express your feelings in your drawings,” said Poon.
“Say you feel angry, you can draw devils and stuff; happy, maybe draw something you like. And you can draw different emotions; draw you and your friend. If you want a party, you can also draw that.”
Poon’s mom, Joanne Ho, said the award was a surprise to her because Poon is still new to drawing and has never been part of any drawing competitions before.
“I saw it to be a good hobby for him and his brother Aaron. The two like to stay in their room and draw paintings after school, creating their own characters,” said Ho.
Poon’s work will be on display in the Vancouver and Burnaby public libraries.
