respect.relate.connect

The Winners of Living Room Conversations’ 1st Art Contest

We are incredibly excited to announce the talented winners of our very first art contest! Each artist submitted their interpretation of the theme, respect.relate.connect! T-shirts were available as a limited-time offering.

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Necessary Nourishment for my Being by Berta

Speech Bubbles intersect to make a heart
Berta Headshot

How is the concept of respecting, relating, and connecting through conversation reflected in your design?

This simple design communicates the simplicity of the concepts of respecting, relating and connecting through communications. Conversation bubbles are the foundation of the design because that is what Living Room Conversations is about. Also, it is through the practice of meaningful conversation that connections are formed. Respect is reflected in the equally weighted balloon and connecting is reflected where they meet in the middle – a heart. The shape of the color inside the conversation bubbles are not “perfect” because none of us are perfect. We do not need to be well spoken or eloquent in order to be respectful, relate to others or connect. In fact, it is our imperfections that make us more relatable. Different colors were used to reflect different points of view.

What does respect, relate, connect mean to you? How does it connect with your personal life?

Meaningful conversation and connection is energizing and fulfilling for me. It is necessary nourishment for my Being. The three concepts are stronger together and reinforce each other. Each piece stands on its own, and together they are enhanced. Respect, relate and connect are necessary for meaningful relationships.

Ideas Taking Root by Ziye

Ziye Headshot
ziyeart Art Contest Winner

How is the concept of respecting, relating, and connecting through conversation reflected in your design?

My design reflects how I see conversations. It starts with a seedling, an idea offered by someone, held with their hand outstretched. Then it takes root, a metaphor taken literally in my drawing. It trickles into the fingertips of the people around the idea, and eventually grows to cover every inch of the listener’s flesh. This is what my design reflects: ideas taking root.

What does respect, relate, connect mean to you? How does it connect with your personal life?

Growing up, I never connected well with my stepfather. He was older, American, and had different expectations for his kids. I was only five then, a recent Chinese immigrant and held a completely different standard for myself. Because of our differences, it was hard to respect him, harder to relate, and almost impossible to connect on any deeper level. Still, he is my stepdad, and though we don’t see eye to eye, he has taught me that each person is different.