Journey of Growth by Weiling Pan
About the Exhibition
Weiling Pan thrives in creating multimedia works that tell original storylines and memories from her life. The texture and Impressionist-inspired style of her oil pastels mimics the warm, fuzzy feeling of thinking back fondly on places, people and experiences.
Adding her own flare to traditional mediums, she allows for her soul to be reflected through her pencil, brush and charcoal.
Original characters arrive in a universe and allow us to explore the world around them by their side. Featured in this exhibition is her
Jenney’s Journey series that follows a robotic character who crash-landed on a new planet and follows her discovery of her new surroundings.
Combining her style inspired by icons of the Modern art in both France and China with digital art there is a completely unique flair.
Pan utilizes her art as a form of exploration of her personal identity.
Selected Works
About the Artist
I firmly believe that a person’s life is constructed from a multitude of memories. The desire to share arises when I encounter something beautiful or interesting, and today, we often capture those moments with photos. These images serve as memory rebuilders, helping us reconstruct lost moments. Instead of photos, I use oil pastels to capture the essence of those moments on paper. The texture of oil pastels adds dimension, making the scene feel alive, almost as if it could pop out of the picture. In my collages,I see each fragment as analogous to the pieces of a person’s memory, which is why I chose collage as my medium for this project. These fragments—much like memories—are evidence of existence. Each element in the collage represents a memory block, contributing to the creation of a larger world. As an illustrator, art is my way of expressing the emotions and experiences I can’t always put into words. My characters are born from these experiences, each one exhibiting distinct traits influenced by real-life moments. Their stories mirror my own, capturing my desires and dreams.
About the Gallery
The Human Rights Institute, including the Human Rights Institute Gallery, was founded in 2008 and is housed in the Nancy Thompson Learning Commons (library). This facility features two seminar-style classrooms, a central office, and a state-of-the-art exhibit space that is used to highlight issues, artwork, and films related to human rights violations and victories. Our mission is to highlight human rights issues around the world, while inspiring the next generation of leaders to create a more just and peaceful society. We host special events including lectures, book discussions and film screenings, art showcases, major symposia, and human rights weeks.
The HRI’s work aligns with the Universal Declaration of Human Rights (UDHR), a document adopted by the United Nations in 1948 with the goal of creating universal standards for human rights that apply to all persons around the world no matter their nation of origin. Within the document are 30 articles proscribed with detailed explanations of each human right and its implication on societies. Article 27 reads “Everyone has the right freely to participate in the cultural life of the community, to enjoy the arts and to share in scientific advancement and its benefits. Everyone has the right to the protection of the moral and material interests resulting from any scientific, literary or artistic production of which he is the author” (UDHR). Article 27 is a fundamental influence on the HRI’s gallery and the chosen exhibitions each semester.
The Human Rights Insititute Gallery is proud to feature Journey of Growth by Weiling Pan for the Spring 2025 semester. Pan demonstrated the connection between human rights and their exhibit by stating, “My art connects to human rights by focusing on individuality, self-
expression, and personal growth. Through my work, illustrating journeys of resilience and overcoming challenges, I highlight the right to live authentically and build a meaningful life. By sharing stories and creating connections, my art celebrates the human right to share culture and ideas, inspiring others to express their own unique perspectives.” The HRI hopes visitors will find their own experiences with human rights and social justice within the artwork.
The HRI’s annual Human Rights Conference is scheduled for March 21, 2025, titled We Are the Future: How Gen Z is Changing the World. This exhibition is connected to the upcoming Human Rights Institute conference, which focuses on Generation Z (Gen Z) and its impact on the world. Gen Z, commonly defined as individuals born between the late 1990s through the early 2010s, is the first cohort to grow up in a fully digital age. Known for their diversity, tech-savviness, and commitment to social justice and sustainability, this generation is reshaping societal norms and driving innovation. The exhibition delves into how Gen Z’s unique experiences, values, and contributions are influencing key areas such as technology, culture, activism, and global issues. When asked about what it means to be a Gen Z artist, Pan offered, “Being a Gen Z artist means embracing the influence of a hyperconnected world while staying true to my individuality. I draw inspiration from the endless creativity online, using ideas as starting points to craft something uniquely mine. It’s about finding confidence in my perspective, knowing my art reflects my personal experiences and voice. Despite moments of comparison, I’ve learned to adapt, innovate, and create work that resonates with others and makes me proud. For me, being a Gen Z artist is about blending inspiration, authenticity, and storytelling to navigate and shape the world through art.” Attendees at this year’s HRI conference will be encouraged to visit Journeys of Growth after the program.
