PIYH: Home Sweet Home

The final session of the PIYH project is filled with excitement as participants from Heartware Volunteer Network and St Luke’s Elder Centre gather to see their completed, fired, and painted clay sculptures! Today, a show-and-tell session will be held, allowing everyone to share the heartfelt meanings behind each of their clay works. 

The session begins with each youth-senior pair receiving a worksheet to discuss their sculptures, sparking lively conversations about the meanings and stories behind their creations. For instance, we asked our participants to name their sculptures, which generated some amusement - it can be surprisingly difficult to come up with a name that’s both meaningful and beautiful-sounding. The other main component of the worksheet was for our participants to discuss the meaning behind their sculptures, as well as their general reflections and feedback about this series of PIYH workshops.

After the worksheets have been completed and much lively discussion generated, anGie then gathers everyone at the front for the show-and-tell session. The table at the center of the room displays all the sculptures, each a unique representation of the participants' visions of "home." The youth-senior pairs or groups take turns presenting their work, explaining the inspiration and significance behind each of their pieces.

The sculptures tell diverse stories: one with walls symbolizing safety, trees for food, and a snake for wildlife; another highlighting the harmony of life and nature. Another sculpture, a shed, represents a promise between two participants about their dream home after they retire. In fact, one participant even wrote a poem about the peacefulness of her sculpture, which she named “Tranquility”.

As the session draws to a close, the participants reflect on their journey together. The sculptures, now fired, painted and named, stand as symbols of their shared experiences throughout the PIYH programme. These sessions have not only brought together different generations but have also fostered a deeper understanding of what "home" means to each individual.

Together in collaboration with anGie seah, Heartware Volunteer Network and St Luke's Eldercare Centre, we have witnessed the power of art in bridging generational gaps and creating lasting connections. These sculptures are more than just art; they are representations of community, identity, and belonging. Thank you for joining us on this journey, and stay tuned for more inspiring stories and creations.