The Pandemic may have created some divides among us due to misinformation and other factors but evidently through creative means and arts/ arts education, we can still weave a colorful tapestry of who we are as a society.
ARTICULATE is a pilot project connecting young artists of various backgrounds acred by Artdialogo Asia as the program lead together with Let's Reinvent UK supported by the British Council Malaysia through Connections through Culture and in collaboration with Artsea Lab , AUREO Gallery- US Artbank International, Rotary Club of London, Malaysia Art Society 马来西亚艺术学会, ASEAN Youth Forum, Global Shapers London Hub, and @X+ Platform. Out of hundreds of applicants when the project was launched last February; 30 Creative, inspiring, and Talented Young Artists aged 14 to 21 years old were selected to attend masterclasses from experts in the field of arts, design, community development, and cross cultures from March to May 2021.
The masterclasses served as a safe space for the participants to thrive, co-create; discover; rethink cultural connections and nurture their artistic potentials as a potent tool in making an impact. In lieu of the program’s goals, these classes also prepared the selected young artists to create compelling pieces that will address our lives in the new normal; the role of knowing our identity and culture; and the impact of the program for them to be showcased through a virtual art exhibition.
The interactive masterclasses were intricately designed and carried out by the ARTICULATE team of mentors who are experts in the field of cross cultures , arts education, design and visual arts. Understanding the eastern and western art making process is shared by Yee Fuh Wen, a Chinese ink art Master Artist from Malaysia and by UK based Artist and illustrator, Emma Winterschladen. During the second masterclass, sustainable materials for art making , usage of science and technology in design along with the importance of visual thinking were taught by Micah Hilotin, renowned Soil Artist from the Philippines; Michelle Cheng, UK based designer and ARTSEA’s Kristin Dwek, respectively. A deeper dive into culture and the importance of gestures were articulated and translated into the compositions seen in the artworks of these young artists as they learn from Janique Charles, a WEF Global Shaper, Artist, known as Nala in the UK Tour of Disney’s The Lion King and Dr. Asma Abdullah, one of Malaysia’s cross-cultures pioneer, corporate anthropologist"and educator during their third masterclass. A tour around the UK and ASEAN during the fourth Masterclass was made possible by Robert Hayden, INSEA’s world councilor of Asia and the pacific. The cohort created their own cultural maps to showcase the marvels of their respective hometowns and gastronomies. And to cap off the series of masterclasses, Andreas Siagiani, a renowned artist and engineer from Indonesia taught the cohort to have fun and value friendship as it is a potent tool for collaborations.
The experience and dialogues that were exchanged by these young artists inspired them to create a magnificent body of works to be displayed and shown to the public. To highlight their talents, and milestones, ”COLOURS OF CONFLUENCE '' Art Exhibition presented in Virtual Reality by AUREO Gallery will be the highlighted event at the closing ceremony of ARTICULATE on May 30 2021 at 6pm to 8:30 PM (GMT 8+) . It was led by the organising members from Artdialogo Asia and Let's Reinvent and the welcoming remarks given by Ms. Florence Lambert, Head of Creative Industries of British Council Malaysia. The Keynote Speech was given by Yang Amat Mulia Tunku Zain Al-‘Abidin, the Founding President of IDEAS. H.E. Amb. Kamsiah Kamarudin the Permanent Representative of Malaysia to the Governing Council of the ASEAN Institute for Peace and Reconciliation also gave a congratulatory address for the young artists. We also have inspirational speakers shared the role of art and arts education in youth development and co-creation amidst diversity by Dr. Besy Agamata , the Chief at the Bureau of Learning from the Department of Education Philippines and Mr. Wayla Amatathammachad, founder of Prayoon for Art Thailand.
The participating artists from ART.I.CULATE 2021 Cohort are Nur Nabila Ramzyzan , Yan Jun Tan, Anita Kalaichelvan, Jhay Evachez, Angelica Tejada, Roshan Cervates, Lyra Lacanaria, Baguio Amar Villanueva, Ethan Dailo, Ottilie Peterson, Alethea Dikeocha, Ria Davies, Ally Zlatar, Micah Hilotin, Tariq Fredericks,Danella Kisanga, Scarlet-May Eziashi, Puteri Aneesa Aminuddin, Kinza Ishfaq, Dyah Ayu Puditasari, Neng Lina Lestari, Chelzi Peralta, Tram Bui, Jasmine Thy Nguyen, Miguel Matthew Baladad, Vian Paolo Palacio, Joshua Salcedo, Carla Manalac
These names and their works are testaments of our times’ resiliency. May they all thrive with their passion for the arts in the new normal; and create an impact in their own ways through sharing the value of creativity in bringing people, ideas and aspirations together amidst diversity. Enjoy the virtual art exhibition from May 30-June 30, 2021 via https://artspaces.kunstmatrix.com/.../colours-of-confluence
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