My Kitchen - On its way to Japan
Posted: October 30, 2007I love drawing when I was young. However I was never trained in arts because my parents do not like me to be an artist. The traditional belief in Chinese culture is that artist does not have a good life. They lived poor and after they died, their art pieces would then able to sell for high price which the artists did not have life to enjoy their wealth. So after winning the neighbourhood drawing contest as first prize. I never actually spent time to draw. Subsequently during my teens, though my school offer drawing class as compulsory curriculum, I never enjoyed it.
When Sammi was a toddler, I realised she likes to draw too! I sent her to classes to learn to use her motor skills to turn into art pieces. She enjoyed the short 30 minutes play and drawing classes all the time. The class rooms in the baby arts school provides large area of space for all sorts of arts activities; children’s graffiti on wall, sand play, water colour painting, throwing and splashing of soaked tissues in colour paints and throwing it against the wall (lined with white paper, imaginery art (imagine you are in underground, what animals do you see and draw them on the walls lined with black colourpapers, the whole classroom lights are off. Only torches are used. The children really draw well. Sammi draw earthworms, rabbits in barrow, moles, snakes etc) I love the class very, very much and so does Sammi. I believe such arts class help to develop the right brain which is very critical for creativity and future left brain development.
Just 6 months ago, when we are back in Singapore, I manage to find a good art school. One which is operated by a couple who are both artists and teachers. They run the small classes of 5-6 children ( age 4 onwards) and even for adults. Through conversation with them, I realised that they have a heart to promote arts among children in Singapore. They are activity engaging teachers, schools, governments and neighbouring resident committee to promote arts competition and exhibition in Singapore as well as in Malaysia. This has made me decided to sign up Sammi with them. They are called Piblolic
Just last Tuesday, I was informed by her teacher cum owner cum artist (Mrs Ler) that she is sending Sammi’s ” My kitchen ” drawing and painting to Japan for the yearly World’s Children Competition. I was very, very excited. I love the picture that Sammi painted about our kitchen. It was real and through the eyes of the child. My kitchen is messy. Nothing to be proud off. But through her eyes, she drew out each single details where the items are placed, the colours and the kitchen equipement in her view of the kitchen. Though my kitchen wall is plain. She used bright colours to highlight it. The lights, the washing machine ( by the way Singaporean stay mainly in small apartment so we have to cramp all things into a small kitchen).
She told me that the picture will be on the way to Japan for review. In the past year, two of her students are selected as Gold and Platinum winners for their drawings of Singapore scenes. Last year drawings are all published into a book and all drawings are scanned and printed with the winners’ name and country represented. I am proud that Sammi’s picture is being selected to represent Singapore. I believe her originality will win her the highest award for Singapore.
I am eagerly waiting for the results. However, the association gets to keep the drawing after the competition. But I do have a picture of it in my camera phone. Once the results is out, I will post it here.
I am very happy for Sammi and will continue to promote her creativity in arts. Like what one of the school principle said, drawing will help others and one self. It is a way to express our emotions and feelings if no one wants to listen to you. It is also a way to help others if the drawings can bring joy and hope as well as sold for value to donate to charity.
