|
DAILY NEWS ONLINE |
|
|
|
OTHER EDITIONS |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
OTHER LINKS |
|
|
|
|
|
|
 |
Showcasing creative talents
|
|
|
"Graphically we are presenting the works of several age groups starting from the 3-4 year olds, 5-7 year olds, moving on to the more adventurous work of the 8-10 year olds and then to the adolescent group, ending with older teenagers between 18 to 19 years. What they will present is their very own ideas, thoughts and expressions. Apart from the material that we provided them, this is entirely their own, uninhibited effort- with minimal input by their teachers".
A firm believer that `Art and Creative Activity' holds the key to the development of a child, she says, teaching art to a child is not about showing him how to draw and paint. Rather, it is about character building and helping the child to grow and develop.
Encouraging children to work in a free environment and express their thoughts and ideas freely without the interference of adults does just that. Art Education is not just teaching art. It is a character building process", she stresses.
|
|
"When I admit a new student, I ask my parents, `Do you want your child to draw beautifully, or do you want him to be a well balanced child?' The latter is the ultimate goal of art education. Whether the finished object is good or not is unimportant in teaching art to young children. What is important is that the child grows in the process of learning art."
Nalini should know what she is talking about since she herself grew and developed in an art oriented background. In an exclusive interview with the Artscope this veteran art teacher traced the beginnings of her emotional and intellectual growth to the time she became a pupil and later teacher of one of Sri Lanka's leading pioneers in art education, Miss Cora Abraham.
Wonderful plan
"It was my late father who enrolled me at the Cora Abraham Art classes after seeing an advertisement in the newspaper. Looking back 55 years later, I think that was the day when God gave me a wonderful plan for my life and made it possible for me to follow a career that has brought me immense satisfaction and joy", says this devout Christian woman.
Since joining Cora's school ( then known as the Melbourne Art classes) Nalini found herself called to undertake a challenging task , of being the art teacher to the newly opened art section at Ladies college, her past school. "I was only 18 years old at the time but my principal Miss Simon insisted I take up the challenge. Miss Abraham too encouraged me, even going shopping with me to the Pettah to buy paints and other materials needed to start these art classes.".
While teaching students during the day she continued to attend Ms Abraham's classes in the evening.
So how did this experience of working in an art oriented environment help in the development of her character?
"Miss Abraham always encouraged her students to freely express their innermost thoughts and ideas in a creative manner. She used to tell us that creative activity is a character building process. It defines and clarifies a child's perceptions, thoughts and feelings, and develops and maintains a good balance between his intellect and his emotions. After she died, I discovered a book in her library by the well-known art educator Viktor Lowenfield's Creative Mental Growth" which had inspired Miss Abraham .
He wrote that," Art Education introduced in the early years of childhood may well mean the difference between a flexible creative human being and one who in spite of all learning , will not be able to apply it and remain an individual who lacks inner resources and has difficulty in relating to his environment". This has been my guiding motto to this day."
Name changed
When Miss Abraham died in 1979, it was only natural that Nalini who had been on her staff for many years should be asked to replace her as Principal. One of the first things she did when she took over the school in January 1980 was to change its name " I decided to name it after Miss Abraham as it was she who founded it", she says. She also set up a Trust to run the school and offer free scholarships for deserving students.
Referring to the importance of art education in today's time-driven age, she says regretfully, "Children today are rushing back and forth on a never ending stream of class upon class. Unlike in the past, they do not have time to dream and make believe which is very important to character building."
So what is her advice to parents whose children are trapped in this feverish academic activity ?
"Give them space and time to be alone and enjoy an hour or two of creative activity. Let them discover and develop their own creative abilities "
And what is the best way they can do this?
"Send your children to art classes that encourage them to be themselves, think their own thoughts and enjoy creative activity with the least amount of instruction"
And her advice to art teachers?
"Art cannot be taught. You can only inspire it. Most teachers make the mistake of teaching children to illustrate by copying form and line. My advice is to help them to express themselves the way they feel and see a picture in their minds. Such an expression of art, though it may not be accurate and line perfect, is much more expressive and alive than an accurate and dead drawing."
This innovative and far seeing art teacher's end goal is to take this message to as many art teachers as possible in this country, so they too will encourage their pupils the luxury of uninhibited freedom to express their imagination and innermost thoughts through art, thereby helping to mould their character.
The forthcoming exhibition at the Lionel Wendt will commence on May 13 and conclude on May 18. In addition to exhibiting their work, the younger students at the school will give a demonstration of "Art and Creative Activity" in the foyer every evening.
..................................
|
|
 |
 |
 |
 |
 |