Leaders & Best

Lunar New Year contest entries

Katherine Lee's Winning Image depicting a robust ox galloping towards the numbers 2021, turning its path into gold.
Feb 11, 2021

We are proud to present the winning submission of this year’s Lunar New Year design contest, created by current Stamps School of Art & Design student Katherine Lee.⁠ Check out all of this year’s submissions below!

Illustration of a robust ox galloping towards the numbers 2021, turning its path into gold.
This is the winning entry for the 2021 Lunar New Year Contest! Artist Statement: For my card, I emphasized the robust ox fearlessly galloping into 2021, turning its path into gold--a color that represents wealth and prosperity in many Asian countries that celebrate Lunar New Year including China, Korea, Vietnam, Malaysia, and more. Since 2020 was such a turbulent year, I wanted to show that 2021 will be a year of hope and freedom by adding the effects of ripped paper as part of a frame as if the ox charged in. Additionally, I included Chinese traditional Shan Shui art in the inner background behind the ox to add to the traditional aspect of the design.
— Katherine Lee, B.A. Art & Design, Class of 2023 
Illustration of a silhouette of an ox standing amongst red, orange, and yellow mountain tops, with the words "Happy Lunar New Year 2021" at the bottom.

Artist Statement: 2021 is the year of the ox--an animal characterized by hard work, honesty, and humility. The ox figure in the design stands in the mountains, signifying a year ahead of growth and authenticity. — Valerie Le, B.A. Art & Design, Class of 2021
A digital illustration of an ox, Chinese lanterns, and a building with the words "Happy New Year 2021" in the foreground.
Artist Statement: My piece is a digital illustration that highlights Chinese architecture and cultural elements associated with the New Year celebration.
— Sierra Iverson, B.A. Art and Design, Class of 2023 
A drawing of an ox surrounded by Chinese lanterns and the words "Happy New Year" and "Year Of The Ox 2021".
Artist Statement: My design represents the Year of the Ox with a musk ox as the central highlight, surrounded by Chinese lanterns and other decorative elements in the traditional red and yellow colors.
— Claire Smith, B.A. Art & Design, Class of 2021
An illustration of an ox and a family with fireworks, dumplings, and lanterns, along with the words "Happy New Year" on the left.
Artist Statement: My work depicts a traditional family celebration of the Chinese Lunar new year. The image includes classic elements such as dumplings, lanterns and fireworks.
— Sophia Chen, B.A. Art & Design, Class of 2021 
Illustration of an ox, Chinese lanterns, and the words "Happy New Year 2021".
— Lauren Lampar, B.A. Art & Design, Class of 2022 
Illustration of an ox drawn with a pattern of flowers, and the words "Happy New Year".
Artist Statement: I took inspiration from the art of Chinese paper cutting and used familiar icons of luck, festivity, and happiness to body the ox, a symbol of our charge towards 2021.
— Shannon Zheng, B.A. Art & Design; B.A. Philosophy, Class of 2022 
Illustration of a shadow of an ox that is comprised of elements that represent different Chinese New Year Traditions, along with the words "Happy New Year", "The Year of the Ox 2021".
Artist Statement: My design is of an ox, representing the year of the ox, and is composed of various elements that represent different Chinese New Year traditions. The ox is hidden as a shadow. I did this because the oxen personality doesn’t want to be at the center of attention or seek praise. Instead, this ox is recognized and built up by what is around it. The year of the ox represents hard work, positivity and humility and I think we could all use more of these qualities in 2021.
— Katherine Estey, B.A. Art & Design, Class of 2023 
Illustration of two oxen standing apart with a traditional Chinese Palace in between them, and the words "2021 Happy New Year".
Artist Statement: My design incorporates the zodiac ox and a traditional Chinese Palace. I tried to incorporate some Chinese details into the artwork other than the ox alone.
— Katie Shen, B.A. Art & Design; B.S. Computer Science, Class of 2023