[SNEAK PEEK] THE WORLD THROUGH THE EYES OF OUR YOUTHS
Each generation of youths are presented with a unique set of environmental and social factors that alter the way they view the world, their family and their personal aspirations.
The Gen Z youths in Singapore are growing up in the midst of a fast-paced urban society. The range of stressors they contend with on a daily basis, includes academics, body-consciousness, interpersonal communication issues and many more. At the critical cusp of transition from dependence to independence, peer influence and family functioning may make or break the world for them.
While the first curation focuses on the elderly and themes of ageing, the second curation shines the spotlight on youths and family resilience.
The working team collaborated with Boon Lay Garden Primary School to roll out a curation workshop, where 16 students from the West cluster schools participated in activities that guided them to express their emotions through various art mediums. The artist-in-charge – Mary Bernadette Lee engaged the students on one-on-one reflections during the sessions to unravel their self-perception, interpersonal struggles and family relations.
The masterpieces from the students were curated into a themed exhibit section at our second curation. Here’s a sneak peek into the workshop, which took place from 22 April to 27 May 2022!
22 April – Self Impression & Perception
As a start, the students were asked to contour their own face while keeping their focus on the mirror only. The drawing has to be in one continuous line and they were instructed to keep their eyes away from the paper while they drew.
Thereafter, the students were facilitated into a self-reflection moment where they consciously think about what are the qualities they like about themselves and what are the things they really enjoy, be it places or things.
With these thoughts at the top of their mind, they proceeded to express them using water color painting, where the strokes and colors used can reflect their state of mind and emotions.
29 April – Family Relations & Connections
The second session engaged the students to think about their relationship with their parents, grandparents and siblings. Through the use of shapes and lines, the students abstractly expressed how their family is functioning and how they felt about their family.
After the guided self-reflection time, they went on to create a sculpture using materials like wood, cardboard and strings. The sculpture embodied the perceived state of their family relations.
6 May – Acknowledging and Expressing your Emotions
The session started off with the students creating the tools they want to use for their Chinese Ink Painting artwork.
After which, they explored the use of water color on paper to illustrate the emotions they felt while listening to soothing and sentimental soundtracks. Upbeat music was played when the students experimented the use of acrylic on canvas.
‘Art and science are more closely related than you think it is, and the proven role of arts in psychology testifies to the interplay of both realms.’
After which, they explored the use of water color on paper to illustrate the emotions they felt while listening to soothing and sentimental soundtracks. Upbeat music was played when the students experimented the use of acrylic on canvas.
20 May – Overcoming Challenges
As a prelude to creating their final artwork after weeks of exploring concepts of self, family and emotions, the students were asked to reflect on the struggles they faced, put it down on paper and drop the paper into a safe box.
At this stage, they are ready to commence the creation of their final conclusive artwork, which exhibited their learnings from the workshop and expressed the message they would like the world to know.
27 May – Completion of Final Artwork
Students were given the freedom to complete, rework or enhance their artwork during the final session.
Mind Art Experiential Lab (MAELab)
The second curation launched on 1 July! Find our more HERE!
Follow us on Facebook (@mindsciencecentre) and Instagram (@maelab_msc) to be in the loop of all the behind-the-scenes and upcoming themed workshops!
MAELab is an innovative space for discovery of creative and integrative interventions through art, mindfulness and transdisciplinary research to promote mental wellness and enhance quality of mind. Through this space, we seek to raise awareness on mental health, evoke embodied reflective moments and provide an experiential journey that allows internalization of learning with personal relevance. Join us on a virtual tour of the inaugural curation titled ‘Arts, Mindfulness, & the Ageing Brain’ HERE!