FEATURE | LUMEN
9
Art Endeavour transforms
SJI by Nigel Chin
A project to add colour and life to the walls in SJI was undertaken by the JC 1s . This JC 1 Community Day project rallied the cohort in an experience that was creative , fruitful and gratifying , especially when they saw their handiwork on display .
This page ( top ): The finished artwork at the amphitheatre This page ( 2nd from top ): Making the canteen vibrant This page ( bottom ): The transformed wall at the canteen
We come from all nations , united in our cause .” The cause ? Bringing colour and life to the SJI campus . As the SJI community returned to its redeveloped campus in 2017 , concrete walls greeted us , blank yet inviting . To most of the JC 1 students who originated from SJI , the move back felt like coming home . To those who were stepping into SJI for the first time , it was the start of a colourful two-year journey . And colour they did . Over a span of a week in October , JC 1 students came together , worked hand in hand , moving in and out of the art rooms , cutting , pasting , tracing and painting . White walls slowly turned into yellow , green and maroon walls . As tape was slowly removed , bit by bit , a piece of art was revealed .
In March this year , an email was sent to the student population , calling for volunteers to carry out projects which would help all members of the school bond with one another through the arts . Together Nur Dini Kalista , Nguyen Minh Chau , Chang Yu Ern Matthew Myat Noe Pwint and Nigel Chin , all from JC 104 , went for the interviews , were selected and formed the ArtsFest committee . Tasked with carrying out a project that will be fun , fulfilling and engaging for the JC 1 students , they planned with the theme of community in mind . Aiming to liven up the school and enhance the already beautiful and homely campus , they also
set out to provide the JC 1s an opportunity to form a stronger bond with one another .
Brainstorming began but the committee members immediately hit a roadblock . They were not artistically inclined and could not come up with a design for the mural that looked good and was symbolic of the spirit of SJI . Tapping on the ideas and talents of their peers , they eventually came up with beautiful designs for the murals which were both meaningful and aesthetic . When shown the designs , Adithya Suresh ( JC 106 ) believed that “ the artworks can help inspire and encourage students ”. Once the school approved the designs the students went straight to work . The different JC 1 tutor groups took turns to work on the murals on the sides or the quotes on the steps of the amphitheatre , or the wall in the canteen . Those who were better at painting painted the murals , while others helped to trace and cut the stencils . In no time , the murals that were mere ideas at first started to take shape on the walls . “ It was an interesting experience through which I learnt to appreciate the arts and spend time with my friends ,” reflected Joan Liew ( JC 110 ).
Everyone ’ s contribution was crucial whether in conceptualising , planning or the execution of the project . Together , the JC 1 cohort is proud to have made SJI a better environment for all .