The other day, I was rushing through a busy hospital in Dhaka for an RT-PCR report of my father. Pressing the call button, I began waiting for the elevator when a whiteboard placed right beside me hooked my sight. The board was holding an artwork of a superhero holding a syringe resembling the life-saving vaccine. I suddenly recalled a quote by Vincent van Gogh, "I want to touch people with my art. I want them to say he feels deeply, he feels tenderly."
Throughout history, artists have sought to connect with their audience via many different techniques. Whether using particular colour combinations, showcasing abstract strokes for personalized representations, or displaying symbols that work on a subconscious level, each work of art is designed to convey a message to the observer as seen through the eyes of the artist.
Most of us know the feeling of being moved by an art piece. We become transported to a new place with a sense of recollection that is strongly embedded in our physical and emotional experiences. A good piece of art possesses the power of allowing us to recognize a feeling that may not be unfamiliar to us but something we did not actively focus on before. This transformative experience is what art is constantly seeking.
As long as humankind has been conscious of itself, it has been creating various forms of art. The oldest documented art forms are visual arts, including painting, sketching, sculpture, photography, and many more. From early cave paintings to the ceiling of the Sistine Chapel, human artistic expression can tell us a lot about the artists' perspectives.
It is widely thought that the capacity of artworks to arouse emotions in audiences, including children, is a perfect method of building empathy and care for one another. Art can help improve communication and motor skills in children; hence it is essential to instill artistic activities at an early age. We should incorporate creativity and art alongside home learning and as an extension of play for holistic child development.
Art exploration is not only thought-provoking but also educational. Fostering creativity will develop children's motor skills and boost their ability to analyze and solve problems with an optimistic approach. Creating art will also expand a child's ability to interact with the world around them and provide a new set of skills for self-expression and communication.
Colours are known to soothe children’s senses. Art can be a way to promote and support mental health in children. Amid the ongoing pandemic, increased screen time and irregular routines are making children anxious and restless. During this difficult time, engaging in artistic activities and immersing in the fluidity of colours may help their emotions to flow along.
Art will be one of the essential ways to remember and reflect on the Covid-19 pandemic years from now. It has become a universal language and also a way to connect with people from every corner of the world who were affected by the virus.
Children express their thoughts and feelings better through art. They engage in creative outlets to share their experiences, relieve stress, and work through what occurs in their lives. Art can help children understand, verbally express, and process complex or traumatic post-pandemic experiences. As adults envision the futures of today’s children, it is especially important to create a nurturing space for children to make art.
Art has long been recognized as an important part of a well-rounded education. Lately, many schools in Bangladesh have begun integrating art into the academic syllabus. They find that the approach boosts academic achievement and promotes creativity and self-confidence. International School Dhaka (ISD) is one such example that has recently introduced a travelling art exhibition titled Heroes of Our Time. It is an ardent tribute to the frontline heroes for their continuous care and support in keeping everyone safe during the ongoing pandemic.
Doctors, nurses, and people working in the healthcare sector are particularly vulnerable to the coronavirus. Yet every day, frontline heroes in hospitals, health centresers, care facilities, etc, make sure to keep the systems running in times of pain and suffering. In recognition of their bravery and compassion, ISD is taking a moment to acknowledge the healthcare workers who continue to be at the forefront of the global crisis by arranging this traveling exhibition. The first episode of this exhibit has taken place at Evercare Hospital Dhaka, consisting of reflective and outward-looking artworks that demonstrate solidarity, courage, and kindness.
It is needless to say that art is the ultimate expression of human creativity deeply influenced by philosophy, culture, and our need to remain connected. Artwork in an exhibition like this will make children more compassionate, caring, and help them to express their feelings. Moreover, ingraining the value of art at an early age will stimulate young children's curiosity, creativity, and imagination.
Nuzhat Hayat Khan is a writer and a communications professional.
