Making Connections - Something New!

I am creating the 'Making Connections' platform here to connect our staff and students to the world of visual arts beyond EDP. I hope this platform will generate rich conversations about art among our teachers and their pupils. I hope this will, in turn, inspire them to enrich their own learning and connect with others who are equally passionate about art. Stay tune to stay connected :)

A Primary One Pupil's Response to P5ECAA Exhibition - The AHA Moment!

During a conversation with Darien from Primary 1E on his response to the gallery tour conducted for his class, he blurted out that he had constructed an artwork similar to one of the P5ECAA exhibits. I asked if he would like to display his artwork in the gallery and it was a resounding, "Yes!". Then he said hesitantly that he had not painted it yet. Mmm... must an artwork be painted to be completed? 

I always believe in seizing the moment when a child is ready to lead his own learning. I shared with Darien the preparation before he could display his artwork in the gallery - writing an artist statement and setting up the display himself. I waited about 2 weeks and Darien honoured his promise. So here's our Primary 1 artist, hard at work on a Wednesday afternoon :)

                    

It is not true that only the talented ones and those who show great potential can be an artist. I believe every child can be an artist. Curiosity, confidence and the courage to express our unique voices will transform 'IMPOSSIBLE' to 'I AM POSSIBLE'. Way to go, Darien! Thank you for taking the first brave step, for yourself, and for the many more artists among you :) 

Gallery Tour for Our Primary 5 and 6 Pupils

Gallery Tour by Ms Asyhikin, for her 5B pupils :)

     Gallery Tour by Ms Sakinah, for her 6A pupils. This is the first time 5C student-artists facilitated a gallery tour for the older ones :)

           

I had the opportunity to join Mr Kamsari on the gallery tour that he was conducting for his 6E pupils. I was impressed by his way of leading the tour, or rather, not leading it. 6E pupils spent several minutes buzzing about their observations before Mr Kamsari engaged them in a conversation about their responses towards the works of art. I particularly liked one pupil's response when asked which one was his favourite, "The blank one". Mr Kamsari did not bat an eyelid even when some pupils started kidding the child for his unconventional response. Instead, he waited for the child to justify his response. I was very proud of the child when he said the blank one would allow him to produce his own artwork and a better one than those displayed. An open-minded teacher like Mr Kamsari must have been a contributing factor to his confidence too :)

 

I really enjoyed documenting the gallery tour of 6E pupils with their art teacher. I took this batch of pupils last year and they were the pioneer ones to have their P5ECAA exhibition in the gallery. It is gratifying to hear them express their views about art so spontaneously and so uniquely theirs. Indeed, every child is an artist :)