PENANG, 12 October 2016 – Having the awareness on environmental issues and how they would affect future generations has inspired Nor Athirah Md Ghazali with the idea for her artwork entitled 'Paper Cranes', which won third prize in the Vision Petron 2016 National Students Art Competition.

"Although my entry won third prize, I am happy and grateful to be chosen among more than 900 entries from various local institutions," said Nor Athirah, a second year student, from the Universiti Sains Malaysia (USM) School of the Arts (PPS).

Said Nor Athirah, the paper birdies in her painting symbolise nature, which is needed for making paper while the little girl with the paper birdies shows a child being amidst the greeneries, and this icon presents the idea of mankind being together again with nature. 

“I love the natural environment especially the animals, and it worries me to see that children nowadays who live in urban areas lack the exposure on the importance of nature and the environment; thus resulting in my artwork, ‘paper cranes’,” said Nor Athirah who hails from Kelantan.

“The success of Nor Athirah serves to motivate other students especially those in the Fine Arts Department and generally the students of PPS, and the lecturers would always offer support and encouragement to take part in competitions whether at the national or international level,” said the Chairperson of the PPS Fine Arts Department, Dr. Mohammad Khizal Saat.

“This win is a form of recognition to the winner and also in enhancing the student’s profile, indirectly making a name for USM,” added Mohammad Khizal.

Vision Petron 2016 National Students Art Competition, held for the fourth time by Petron this year was themed "Rediscovering Nature and Environment" and was opened to students of private and public higher educational institutions aged between 18-28 years.

The competition was held to unearth talents among the youth and in providing the inspiration to the younger generation who would become leaders of the future.

Translation: Mazlan Hanafi Basharudin