Alumni Spotlight – Teagan Hamilton, recent graduate of IB Visual Arts
Divergence within, by Teagan Hamilton
Teagan Hamilton grew up in Hong Kong and graduated last year from the IB Visual Arts program at FIS. Inspired by her IB Environmental Systems and Societies (ESS) coursework and her passion for fashion, she created a stunning and memorable Paco Rabanne-inspired chain-link dress from over 70 recycled aluminum cans for the 2023 French International School Diamond Jubilee Gala. She now studies Studio Arts at Concordia University in Montreal, Canada, where the French language and culture skills she acquired at FIS are proving more useful than ever.
Her artistic growth and curiosity blossomed at FIS thanks to the various art classes she attended and the unique professional experiences to which she was exposed. According to Teagan, some of the artistic opportunities she was given were invaluable, empowering, and at times even surreal - some feedback that certainly makes us very proud.
We asked her to share more about her artistic journey at FIS and now at Concordia University, in the hope that her story will inspire our current and future students who also dream of following the same creative path.
How did your education at FIS prepare you for the challenges of studying art at a major university in Canada?
The IB Diploma Program at FIS equipped me with the skills and mindset to tackle the challenges of studying art at a Canadian university. Writing my Extended Essay in Visual Arts allowed me to develop university-level research and writing skills while exploring my passion for photography.
Additionally, my IB Environmental Systems and Societies (ESS) coursework connected my interests in sustainability and visual arts. For my ESS Internal Assessment, I investigated the environmental impact of fast fashion and designed a dress made of recycled aluminium cans to highlight waste issues in Hong Kong. This piece was showcased at the FIS Diamond Jubilee Gala alongside renowned brands, boosting my confidence in merging creativity with activism and teaching me to embrace challenges outside my comfort zone.
What specific skills or knowledge gained at FIS do you find most valuable in your current studies?
FIS provided me with invaluable skills that I continue to apply in my studies. In IB Visual Arts, I developed technical proficiency across various media, including painting, digital art, photography, sculpture, and fashion design, giving me a strong foundation for university-level art courses. My research skills were honed through artist projects and the Comparative Study, where I analysed historical and contemporary art movements, artists, and cultural contexts. This led me to discover influential artists who significantly shaped my practice.
The IB Process Portfolio taught me how to document my creative process, which was essential for building a strong university application portfolio. Additionally, discussions in Theory of Knowledge (TOK) helped me think critically and reflectively about the nature of knowledge, especially in art. I often draw on these TOK discussions in university, contributing to class conversations and research papers with a more analytical approach.
My IBVA class was given the opportunity to volunteer at the Christie's Auction House in Hong Kong which allowed me to gain professional exposure. Working alongside art specialists, I learned to evaluate artworks, understand their historical and cultural significance, and communicate effectively with clients. This opportunity expanded my perspective on the art world and strengthened my ability to connect art with global audiences. Also, through IB Visual Arts, I visited numerous art exhibitions in Hong Kong, broadening my exposure to diverse artistic styles and practices.
How did your experience at FIS help you adapt to life in an international context, especially in a diverse environment like Canada?
FIS prepared me to thrive in an international environment by fostering cultural awareness, adaptability, and a global mindset. These are all extremely important qualities that continue to shape my personal growth and artistic journey in Montreal, Canada.
Being in a bilingual city like Montreal, I’ve been able to apply the French language skills I developed at FIS to communicate effectively with those around me. My exposure to French culture at FIS made transitioning to a French-speaking city feel natural and familiar. The bilingual environment at FIS not only improved my language proficiency but also enhanced my ability to navigate cultural nuances. It gave me the confidence to express myself clearly, build meaningful connections, and engage in global conversations with cultural sensitivity and adaptability.
Can you describe the community at FIS? How did it support your personal and academic growth?
FIS fostered a strong sense of community through community events and extracurricular opportunities. These experiences allowed me to connect with peers who shared similar interests while also learning from those with different perspectives and backgrounds. The friendships I built and the sense of unity within the school provided support and motivation throughout my high school IB journey.
What are some of your most memorable experiences at FIS that you believe shaped your identity as an artist ?
One of my most memorable experiences at FIS was being selected as a fashion designer for the 2023 French International School Diamond Jubilee Gala, a fashion show celebrating the school’s 60th anniversary. Designers were tasked with creating 1960s-inspired garments in under three weeks. Wanting to push boundaries, I chose to make my dress entirely from recycled materials, becoming one of the only designers to use non-conventional materials.
As an IB Environmental Systems and Societies (ESS) student, I was passionate about sustainable practices. My ESS Internal Assessment on the environmental threats of fast fashion inspired me to create a Paco Rabanne-inspired chain-link dress from over 70 recycled aluminium cans. Collecting that many cans with my family in just two weeks highlighted the sheer volume of waste we produce. To craft the dress, I flattened and cut the cans to reveal the shiny silver interior, which gave the piece its distinctive look.
After three weeks of hard work, seeing my dress walk the runway alongside renowned brands like Cartier was both surreal and empowering. This experience taught me to trust my creative instincts and embrace challenges, even in unfamiliar territory. The dress, reminiscent of fighting armour, symbolised resilience and my determination to integrate environmental activism with artistic expression.
How has studying in Concordia influenced your artistic perspective compared to your experiences in Hong Kong?
As a multimedia artist, I find inspiration in everything around me—whether it’s my cultural surroundings or the people I interact with. Studying at Concordia, particularly in its downtown Montreal location, has been a major source of inspiration for me. Montreal is known for its vibrant and dynamic arts scene, attracting emerging artists from across Canada and beyond. The city’s creative energy, welcoming atmosphere, and cultural diversity make it an ideal place for artistic growth.
At Concordia, I’m surrounded by like-minded, creative, and curious individuals who share my passion for developing their artistic styles and learning from one another. The university fosters a supportive and inclusive environment, which has allowed me to connect with my peers and grow both personally and artistically. The diversity within Concordia brings together influences from all over the world, making for a truly enriching cultural experience—whether through art, music, cinema, fashion, or even the city’s vibrant food scene.
Studying in Canada has broadened my artistic perspective in ways that are different from my experiences in Hong Kong. While Hong Kong's fast-paced environment and deep-rooted cultural heritage have influenced my artistic foundation, Montreal has exposed me to a more experimental and interdisciplinary approach to art. The cultural contrast has encouraged me to explore new themes and mediums, pushing me to step outside my comfort zone and embrace different artistic influences.
Concordia has also played a crucial role in my development as an artist by providing access to exceptional facilities and resources that allow me to experiment with new media and techniques. This has helped me discover new areas of interest and potential career paths, further shaping my creative journey. Overall, my time here has opened my eyes—and my mind—to new possibilities and perspectives that continue to fuel my growth as an artist.
What are your career aspirations after completing your degree? Do you have a particular field within the art world that you wish to pursue?
From my degree I aim to develop a diverse range of desirable skills, such as creative thinking, organisation, giving and receiving constructive criticism, and apply that to the real world with a visual art field. My ultimate goal is to go on to further studies in related fields, such as art education, photography or interior design and to pursue work professionally in a contemporary visual art field. I’m particularly interested in exploring how art can be used to engage with social and environmental issues, and I aspire to create work that not only expresses my ideas but also has a meaningful impact on others.
