chen xi • 17 • Dublin
16-18 Category • 2026This mixed-media piece centers on the iconic Irish stag, exploring the symbiotic bond between wildlife and nature. I began with a pencil sketch to define the stag’s quiet, watchful profile, then integrated floral-print collage into its antlers to visually merge the creature with the woodland it calls home. The stag’s coat is rendered in patchwork acrylic tones, echoing the dappled light of an Irish forest, while thick impasto brushstrokes in the foreground foliage contrast with the soft, misty greens and golds of the background. The antlers, blending natural form with ornate patterns, symbolize the deep interconnectedness between wildlife and the land. My work captures the stag’s essence as a guardian of the wild, paying tribute to the harmonious relationship between species and their environment that defines Ireland’s rich natural heritage.
