FEATURE : SJI ’ S 170TH ANNIVERSARY | LUMEN 5
For a virtual tour of “ A Walk in the Light of La Salle ”, visit : https :// sites . google . com / sji . edu . sg / awalkinthelightoflasalle
as well . As I will only be spending two years here , I want to make the most of my time , and knowing that there will be potential opportunities for me to contribute back to the school even after graduating encourages me . I hope we all have an opportunity to give back to the school in a similar manner someday .
Mr Ee : Between the two artworks , which one speaks to you more ? Why ?
Heather : Personally , “ Ignite ” is more thought provoking for me . The dual images produced from the different angles intrigues and excites me , especially when the two images collide and emphasise the main theme of how we , as students , can use our gifts to learn and grow together . Being placed at the entrance of the school where many students enter and leave school everyday , I think it serves as an important reminder that we have talents we can use for others , and as Josephians , we should learn and grow together in our own formation journey .
Isaac : I think “ Sharing the Light ” stands out to me the most . This artwork fully encapsulates what it means to be in the SJI community with students , student leaders , teachers and the Lasalle Brothers . This message strengthens our sense of community in this school , and reminds us that when we encounter problems , we will overcome them together as one Lasallian community . Our Founder has truly shown us the way to building and contributing to the fraternity of the Brothers and the larger Lasallian community that it is today . I hope that all Josephians are able to recognise how important and unique it is to be part of the SJI community .
Xu He : I feel that “ Ignite ”, with the silhouettes of the different Josephians as well as of De La Salle , speaks to me more as it is the more easily accessible and understandable artwork in the series at the moment . From one angle , De La Salle ’ s arm is outstretched , and the silhouettes of many successful Josephians who have gone on to contribute in society can also be seen . I feel this embodies De La Salle in a more literal interpretation by showing how his founding of our school produced so many successful and earnest contributors to society .
Mr Ee : How have the two artworks changed the way you view our Founder ’ s life ?
Xu He : To be honest , I never really knew much about De La Salle ’ s life other than where he was born and that he founded our school , but the artworks have made me more appreciative of him . It finally dawned on me as to how much De La Salle ’ s vision and contributions really impacted our lives today . His founding of schools around the world gave students a space to grow and develop our talents , skills and knowledge and hence the opportunities these artists and designers now have .
Heather : Coming into SJI , I did not know anything about the history the school had . When I came to learn more about it , I now comprehend the impact De La Salle had on the multiple generations , even years after his death — and I am grateful that I am able to enjoy the fruits of his labour . Through the two artworks , I have come to have a greater appreciation of the people in our school ’ s history who have carried out De La Salle ’ s mission , and have helped create opportunities for students like myself to grow and learn .
Isaac : When I was in my primary school at SJI Junior , I did not fully understand what teachers meant when they held sessions to explain the history of the Christian Brothers . The only thing that I remembered was that De La Salle founded our school . Upon seeing these artworks , I was able to understand just how much De La Salle contributed to the Christian Brothers Schools . I have learnt to be more appreciative of the efforts that the Christian Brothers and De La Salle had put in just to get our school to where it is today .