Exhibition: Pieces of Joy

04 Oct Exhibition: Pieces of Joy

(Update: Click here for our report of the opening, and here for a nice write-up of the opening by Art Malaysia)

This is an exhibition that we have been wanting to do for a very long time – one that focuses on art works by talented children and young adults with learning difficulties. And this Sunday, our intention finally comes to fruition.

In collaboration with Tutti Art Club, headed by none other than the artist Ms. Tan See Ling, Artemis Art is proud to present Pieces of Joy – 42 works by nine young artists, ranging in age from 7 to 28, with various learning difficulties. This is the second year that See Ling has organized such an exhibition, and it is indeed an honor for us to be part of this celebration of the young talents whose works will be showcased.

This time around, the exhibition will be held for two weeks, from Sunday, October 7 until Sunday, October 21, at Artemis Art in Solaris Dutamas.

The art works on display will be available for sale, and the bulk of the proceeds from the sales go back to the artists themselves, both as a form of encouragement and also to help them continue with their artistic endeavors.

Pieces of Joy is also part of Artemis Art’s own initiative to raise awareness about persons with learning and developmental difficulties, in particular, highlighting the talents that thesy have, which if nurtured, will allow them to live more independently. As we’ve mentioned before, it’s something we’ve been wanting to do for a very long time, ever since we held our Sweet Nothings event, back in February of this year. What we did not mention about the event before was that some of the kids who participated were those with learning difficulties.

The exhibition begins at 3pm this Sunday, October 7, 2012 with the official opening, and we are indeed honored to have Yang Mulia Tengku Marina Tengku Ibrahim, founder and design director of Pink Jambuâ„¢, on hand as our guest of honor.

Also speaking at the official opening will be Mr. Simpson Khoo, an Educational Psychologist who will share his own personal experience living with learning difficulties. In addition, we will also have Ms. Lee Kuan Shin, a Clinical Psychologist with many years of experience behind her. It is hoped that the two speakers will help in the awareness-raising part, which is in line with our intention of having this exhibition.

But the main focus of the two week-long exhibition will, of course, be on the art!

Selected Art Works from Pieces of Joy

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What you see above are but some of the wonderful works that you will get to view during the exhibition.The young artists participating in this exhibition are:

• Bernard (Boon Chen), age 17
• Fitri, age 17
• Jason, age 28
• Ling Yee, age 21
• Nadiah, age 13
• Suen Yi, age 7
• Yuli , age 26
• Zahirra, age 14
• Zahra, age 12

One of the targets Artemis Art hopes to reach with this exhibition, apart from the general public, is the corporate sector. There is a lot that these corporations can do to help these artists. For instance, Artemis Art could assist in arranging for some of these works to be licensed as artwork for corporate promotional items, such as desk calendars, whereby the artists whose works are selected will be paid a royalty. Or better yet, for the corporations to commission these artists for some exclusive art works.

Ultimately, what we’d like to see happen is for these young artists to be able to continue with their artistic endeavors, as a means to help them live more independently. While art is primarily a form of therapy for most of them, it can also be an avenue for these young talents to earn a living in the future.

Pieces of Joy  is perhaps a start for them, and with your support, our desire for them to succeed may just come true… We hope to see you at the opening this Sunday, or if not, during the exhibition run from October 7 until October 21.