“Picture books X Artistic Creation for Cultivating Humanistic Caring Spirit” Contest and Exhibition

“Picture books X Artistic Creation for Cultivating Humanistic Caring Spirit” Contest and Exhibition

The Department of Literature and Cultural Studies (LCS) of the Education University of Hong Kong (EdUHK) recently organised a contest and exhibition about picture books and creative works. The events connected reading, drawing and artificial intelligence, with the objective of encouraging university students to learn about keloid scars and develop a positive attitude towards illness and accompanying patients. Additionally, the events also aimed to enhance students’ humanistic caring spirit and promote to members of the public the idea of caring for others in our society.

Held between November and December in 2024, the contest required participating EdUHK students to read a picture book designated for the contest, and then submit an AI-generated creative output accompanied by a short reflective statement demonstrating understanding and support for keloid scar patients. The picture book, “Worry Leo and Mr Crab”, authored by Dr Elaine Yat-ling Choy, Lecturer I of LCS, is a story about a little lion named Leo who journeys under the sea with his family and runs into an accidnet, which results in an endlessly itchy, painful scar on his arm that is difficult to get rid of. The book, imbued with Dr Choy’s own educational theory (i.e., SMILE), explores how keloid scar patients mentally react to the illness at different stages, and conveys the concept of how they could be cared for. At the end of the contest, a total of seven outstanding works were selected based on the judges’ evaluations and the number of “likes” received on Facebook and Instagram.

The creative works were showcased at an exhibition dedicated to keloid scar patients, which was held between 19 December 2024 and 15 January 2025, at Joint Publishing’s culture and lifestyle flagship store in Wan Chai. The creative outputs by keloid scar patients engaged in art therapy were also displayed. After the exhibition launched, Dr Elaine Choy attended a sharing session on keloid scars co-organised by Fei Fan Publication and My Book One Club. Apart from introducing “Worry Leo and Mr Crab” to the audience, Dr Choy discussed keloid scars with the other speakers, including Dr Tony Chan from Genesis Minimally Invasive Surgery Centre, Edith in her capacity as the chairperson of the Keloid Association of Hong Kong, and keloid scar patient Rachel. The topics discussed were about how picture books and artistic production bring an influence in terms of caring for patients, what keloid scars are, and how to deal with them.

Official website of the contest: https://sites.google.com/view/worryleoandcrab

Winning creative works: https://worryleo.my.canva.site/

Image 1: A winning work “I am the ocean”, which received the Outstanding Care Award and The Best Text Prompts Award

Image 2: Another winning work “Power of Empathy ⸺ Worry Leo and Mr Crab enjoying their time together”, which received three awards, including the Most Popular on Instagram Award, Most Popular on Facebook Award, and The Best Text Prompts Award

Image 3: A third winning work “Kissed by an Angel”, which received the Outstanding Care Award

Image 4: “Behind Worry Leo and Mr Crab: Caring for Patients” Creative Works Exhibition

Image 5: Creative works displayed at the exhibition

Image 6: Group photo taken at the sharing session