Danbi Joung Peace Pals International, 1st Place 2025, Age 16, South Korea

About myself and the theme, “Freedom.” 

Hi, my name is Danbi Joung from Korea, and I am currently in grade 11 at Pickering College in Canada. Freedom means being able to live as myself, to make my own choices, and to express myself. I believe freedom is shown when we can choose our own beliefs and lifestyle- being able to express ideas and who we truly are. However, I believe to have freedom, we need to show responsibility by showing care to the world and each other. It is not about simply doing whatever we please, but about having and actively working towards building compassion. 

The title of this artwork is “Freedom.”

I used colored pencils and colored pens to paint my canvas with bright colors. I wanted to use a variety of colors to express the beauty of diversity that the Earth has provided for us. In the top left and bottom right corners, I drew a checkered road filled with different colors. I also drew flowers growing out from this road. The purpose of the flowers and the colored road is to remind the audience of the fundamental positivity and vitality that the Earth naturally provides. The different colors of the flowers represent the natural diversity found in nature.

Freedom is not only about the world we can see, but also the world we cannot. True freedom is not simply the act of breaking free from oppression, but it is something that emerges from the unseen depths of the inner self. This is what the hand represents. The hand is reaching from outside the water into the deep ground of the Earth. This can be interpreted as a hand trying to touch and feel the vitality that originates from the ground. This image symbolizes a pure desire for freedom. I desired to express the inner purity in humans that yearns for freedom for the visible world and the unseen inner world. 

This human’s shadow is depicted as a field where the sky is blue and cattle roam freely. I wanted to express that although humans have grown increasingly separated from nature over time, we are always a part of the Earth and the living beings it embraces.

The hand reaching outward also represents human curiosity. It suggests that, at times, we must view the world from perspectives beyond our own. The freedom that we feel within us may be perceived differently from the outside. Even if someone looks at another person and says, “You look really free,” that person may not truly feel free. Freedom observed from the outside can be very different from the freedom genuinely experienced within. Thus, we must recognize that true freedom is defined by one’s inner experience, not outward appearances.

Danbi was also featured in her school’s newsletter. A huge congratulations to Danbi.

To see all of the winners and finalists for 2025, please click this link: https://peacepalsinternational.org/2025-art-contest-winners-finalists/

If you are interested in learning more about Peace Pals International and our Annual Art Exhibition and Awards Contests, please visit us at: https://peacepalsinternational.org/