PIYH: Raising the Roof

Today, our participants from Heartware Volunteer Network and St Luke’s Elder Centre eagerly apply finishing touches under the careful guidance of a local artist, anGie seah. Everyone has made remarkable progress in the previous session, and the day’s schedule will mostly be about ensuring that their sculptures are structurally sound and fully decorated.  

Gathering everyone in the center of the room, anGie demonstrates how to reinforce weak points with additional clay and how to smooth out rough edges for a polished look. For instance, for participants whose clay sculpture is built onto a flat base, pinching the edges of the base helps to meld it more firmly to the walls of their house, reducing the chances that the structure will simply crumble apart. Water is once again used as “glue”, especially for smaller components that are difficult for participants to pinch together, and is very effective when it dries. anGie goes from table to table, providing individual guidance on how to reinforce their creations without compromising their artistic vision. The atmosphere is one of focused creativity, with our participants deeply engaged in perfecting their pieces.

Almost as important as structural integrity is the presence of decorations, as this whole exercise is about drawing out each participant’s individual perception of the ideal home. Such creative elements are added with careful consideration, such as small animals that may or may not be the participants’ childhood pets, intricate detailing on the walls and roofs of their clay houses, and even miniature representations of themselves living in their ideal homes. A simple peek through the windows of these clay sculptures often reveals many lifelike details carved out of the participants’ own precious memories, both the youths and seniors. 

We also briefly interviewed two of our senior participants, Susan and Mike, about the inspirations behind their sculptures. Susan is drawn to the tranquility of the sea, the majesty of mountains, and the serenity of remote places, and her sculpture incorporates a flowing river along its length. An avid diver, she loves beaches and has also added a sailboat and a pagoda. Mike, on the other hand, channeled his love for cowboy movies into a Western-themed sculpture, complete with a miniature lasso and cacti. 

As the session draws to a close, the room is filled with a sense of accomplishment. The sculptures, now complete, stand as tangible representations of the shared journey of all of our participants. They reflect personal stories and the collaborative effort that has been the heart of this project, bringing together youth volunteers with our senior participants. Stay tuned for next week’s diary entry, in which everyone will travel to the Dragon Kiln to fire their sculptures!