Grade 9 UWCSEA students inspired to understand the importance of creation
“Really, what will you leave behind when you die?” Danny Raven Tan, a Singaporean impressionistic artist and survivor of pancreatic cancer asks his East Campus Grade 9 audience, their eyes suddenly beaming forward towards the front of the conference room.The response of the students was increasingly similar to the those of most human beings, a long hesitation and silent glance around their surroundings. It’s the universal question that humans are bound to ponder, the somber question some, out of nature, avoid. We can’t bear to think about what it will be like when we’re not here, or we accept it, but often struggle to understand the importance of living and creating a life of fulfilment.
Although questioning the topic of death to young students may be interpreted or considered an unnecessary push of boundaries, asking the question may benefit a student’s perception of their individual lifetime. This allows them to immerse themselves in a positive mindset and willingness to create something of importance.
Danny Tan’s detrimental and life-threatening survival of pancreatic cancer provoked an eye opening response to what he wants to leave behind. He shares to the Grade 9 students that he realised how short life is and that he does have a story to share, just as everyone does. Acrylic painting, pastel crayon pieces and his encounters with inspiring artists became a way to clear his mind from his dismal battle with pancreatic cancer, the death of his father in 2015, and his struggles helping his mother suffering from dementia . “I just paint whatever comes into my head”, Danny shared. “Some days, I felt like I was screaming in a vacuum. Other days, I was drifting in space.” His creation of art once used as a reserved space for his thoughts now became an opportunity for future generations to remember his story even after his death. His efforts to do this are shown in the opening of The Tiffin Gallery in 2016, a space converted from his apartment as a showcase of his artwork.
Danny Raven Tan challenged student’s perceptions of legacies, their ability to create and leave behind memories through our loved ones. He shared his sorrowful experiences and creations of art in the annual Writer’s Fortnight, possibly in the hopes of opening the eyes of the younger generations to the larger issues of individual’s knowledge of their legacy. But the question seemed too direct and truthful to an audience of young Grade 9 students, and the simplicity of it was contradictory to the answer no one seemed to be able to satisfy. Our identity and life on Earth easily becomes our most significant connection between each other, and humans therefore begin to wonder what our individual legacy will be—will my life be considered worthwhile? We value and take comfort in taking actions that are life-affirming and meaningful, but we often struggle to understand the power of our identity and interests.
“We’re all created to create,” Danny Tan says, standing before the words boldly projected on the board. Humans strive to achieve happiness and fulfilment with their life, and when successful, the result is always a creation.
Individuals who find their passion and are confident with their identity may seem more successful and ahead in creating their legacy, for example famous celebrities and athletes. Passion is vital in quickening the process of developing a willingness and enjoyment in what students do. It is willingness that makes it possible for Grade 9 students of the audience to leave behind deeply-seated footprints into the grounds that lie beneath our jam-packed population. UWC values of importance of self management meant that students understood and listened to the life experienced artist with intent to change or understand the way they might be remembered in the future.
The universal language of creation acknowledges a person’s narrative of their own life to find meaning in the progression of their individual development and experience a sense of agency over their life. It successfully display’s one’s thoughts and emotions during different stages and points of time, henceforth proving that every person’s story can be displayed on the big screens before our future generations. In fact, the screenings are exclusively shown about the people who were dependent on creation, however, this does not mean their stories are of more significance than your own. Provided you use certain techniques to improve your life screening so it can be inspiration and compelling to viewers, your legacy will immediately be more impactful.
Thus, Grade 9 students will be able to understand that their life story will be fascinating, it’s just a matter of whether they leave behind creations, physically, in the memories of others, or if they let it expire as they pass on.
By Edda Arnadottir
Steve Hickey says:
A very well written and clear article Edda – thank you!
April 30, 2018 — 1:14 am