PIYH: Moving In

 
Our first session begins with a vibrant round of introductions, where our participants from Heartware Volunteer Network and St Luke’s Elder Centre come together under anGie’s guidance. Seamlessly code-switching between English and Mandarin, anGie kickstarts a fun icebreaker, getting participants to introduce themselves with a physical gesture that embodies the very sound of their name. For instance, anGie performs a sweeping motion with her arm and flicks sharply upwards at the end in order to represent the two distinct sounds in her first name. Laughter and applause resonates throughout the room as our participants take up anGie’s icebreaker; some are shy and hesitant, others excited and exuberant, but all of them leave a definite impression with their unique introductions. 

Before any work can begin on the clay sculptures, however, anGie first engages the youths and seniors in a lively discussion about their interpretations of "home". For some, it was the nostalgia of their childhood kampungs, with beloved pets waiting for them at home. For others, it was the warmth of a familiar kitchen filled with the aroma of home-cooked meals. This collaborative spirit, with the youth-senior pairs gradually warming up to each other, is the key to the Paradise in Your Hands project, and it was very rewarding to see the stories and memories being exchanged between our participants. 

 
Under anGie’s skillful guidance, everyone then moves on to basic clayworking techniques, watching her demonstration of several beginner techniques. Rolling a ball of clay between her hands produces a thin “rope” that can be used as scaffolding for the participants’ houses. Pinching the clay helps to mold separate pieces together, providing additional structural support. After all, while each handcrafted piece is a reflection of personal narratives about the concept of “home”, intertwined with collective themes of community co-creation... there is still a practical consideration, as the sculptures need to be stable enough for eventual firing and painting. In both of these regards, we are glad to have anGie onboard to guide our participants. 

anGie then proceeds to expertly outline the process of building a dream home in clay: start with a base, a foundation. Making a slab of clay, participants will cut the “land” where they build their structures, rolling the clay until it is smooth and cutting out their desired shape. Tactile stimulation is plentiful as participants pinch and coil the clay into “snakes” in order to create walls for their structures, becoming familiar with the varying textures and elasticity of clay working. In a way, the repetitive movements take on a meditative, calming nature.

 
As the day unfolds, our participants were able to make remarkable progress on a “first draft” of their eventual clay sculptures, sharing much laughter and banter in the co-creation process. Although many of them were new to clayworking, they were able to successfully experiment with the techniques taught by anGie, imparting their nostalgic memories into reality as they recreate their childhood homes or places that represent their ideal living conditions, and their own unique vision of paradise. 

Through this project, we hope to see the bonds between the youths and seniors strengthened through mutual experiences of co-creation and discovery - for instance, our seniors can impart wisdom and experience honed over decades, whereas our youths can bring fresh perspectives to the artistic process. Looking forward, the clay works created over the course of this programme are not merely sculptures but symbols of a community coming together to explore themes of identity, belonging, and home. Stay tuned as we continue to unveil more stories and creations from our subsequent co-creation sessions, where every piece of clay embodies a piece of our shared journey towards understanding what "home" truly means.