Sunday, April 15, 2012

"Textures & Tactility" - A Dream Came True

I was at the art studio once. It was  a precious experience indeed.It was a moment of serenity....  humbly capturing the moments in my heart, as what people say.. seeing is believing.On that day, I saw what this project means to the children.

I was sitting together with the students while they were doing their artwork. Watching them being exposed to different meduium of creative art.  Suddenly,  I heard a boy laughed in excitement! He pat his friend's hand, then said " Hey... tengok ni, benda ni jadi pasu lah!hey... look at this, it turns out t be a vase!! )

He is blind.

He did not know I was sitting in front of him. I watched him, busy telling his friends about his achievement. Happiness shown in his face...

Immediately I knew, we are doing something good... :)

Syukur Alhamdulillah, on 11 February 2012 , " Textures & Tactility"  art exhibition is a dream came true for all of us in Project Mata Hati.

God willing, there will be more institutions, galleries, sponsors, media and individuals coming forward to be part of us...

To all who have been supporting us,. we humbly say....Thank You

May Allah SWT bless you always...

Sincerely,
Davina

pictures courtesy of http://www.umarmita.com/
 
The young artists

 
Among the exhibit items

 
Proudly pose with her masterpiece

The Star: A Touch of Art

A touch of art
By SHARMILLA GANESAN
star2@thestar.com.my

An exhibition by blind students shows that art is bound only by the imagination.

WHAT is art if not an embodiment of the mind’s eye? Nowhere is this more apparent than in Textures and Tactility, currently on at NN Gallery, Kuala Lumpur. Featuring ceramic artworks and mono prints created by visually impaired students of Sekolah Menengah Pendidikan Khas (SMPK) Cacat Penglihatan Setapak, KL, the exhibition is proof that creativity can indeed overcome all restrictions.

The objects on display are the result of Projek Mata Hati, a corporate social responsibility programme initiated by Group Technical Services, a service unit in MISC Bhd. The five-year project aims to improve the skills and education of, and amenities for, the visually impaired students in music, sports, literature, creative arts and IT.

For the creative arts segment, it brought together fine art lecturers from Universiti Pendidikan Sultan Idris (UPSI), and SMPK Setapak, allowing the students to explore basic clay and printmaking techniques. Through a series of workshops, 43 students were exposed to processes such as moulding, shape-making and pattern-making to create their artwork.
 
Exotic: This ceramic artwork by Teh Khalijah Shabudin and Mohamad Afiq Afify Rizan is on display at the Textures and Tactility exhibition.

The end products are indeed remarkable – 55 art pieces ranging from plates and vases to sculptures and wall hangings. In fact, casual observers may not even realise they were produced by visually impaired students. Even the lecturers who conducted the workshops were blown away.

“We were very surprised with the results,” says Dr Mohd Fauzi Sedon of UPSI’s Department of Art and Design, Faculty of Art, Computing and Creative Industries. “It was wonderful to see how interested and enthusiastic all the students were, and this really translated into their work.”

Indeed, the students’ excitement is immediately apparent when you talk to them about their creations.

“Before this, we didn’t have a chance to show our talent and creativity,” says Siti Suhailah Muhamad Sabri, 16, one of the low-vision students involved. “This project gave us a chance to try our hands at creating art, without any pressure. It was really fun, and the results made us very happy.”

Nur Basyirah Mohd Azhar, 15, who also has partial sight, says she has always been interested in art, but never got the opportunity to involve herself in it before. “It was really enjoyable to learn the new techniques that I’ve never been exposed to before.”
 
Mono print by Mohamad Fariza Ariffin and Ahmad Amirul Arif Mahathir.

Dr Fauzi explains that he and his colleague, Dr Tajul Shuhaizam Said, wanted to come up with projects that would focus on textures, as touch was an essential part of a blind person’s perception of the world.

“That’s why we decided on ceramics and printmaking, as both involve tactility. The students could touch the surface of the pieces they’re working on, so they would know what designs they are making,” he says.

For the ceramic pieces, they were first taught how to work with clay, by touching and experimenting with it. Then they were given various types of leaves to choose from, which they pressed into the clay to create designs and texture. Finally, the pieces were painted and fired in a kiln.

For the vases and pots, the students were taught to press clay into a mould, before adding the leaf textures and colour.
 
Ceramic artwork by Mohamad Zainuddin Mohd Shamsudin, Nuramira Ariana Amat Hamidi and Nur Ain Izzati

The mono prints, meanwhile, were produced using a technique called collography, whereby the students stuck leaves onto a backing block and then applied different colours on them before pressing the block onto cloth.

“The pieces were all based on the theme of nature, which is why we used leaves. We really wanted the students to feel and think about the different textures of the leaves, and how this could be applied to their art,” says Dr Fauzi.

Mohamad Amirul Ahmad, for instance, shares that he got his inspiration for his pieces from thoughts of a garden. “I wanted to depict my impression of what a flower garden would look like,” says the 19-year-old, who is completely blind.

Suhailah got her ideas from thoughts of the jungle. “When they put the leaves in my hand, the picture of a jungle immediately came to mind. So I used that in my works,” she says.

Teh Khalijah Shabudin, on the other hand, worked in a more abstract way. The 18-year-old, who is completely blind, says she simply let her imagination guide her, based on the materials given.

For each piece of art, blind students were paired with those with low vision to better facilitate the creation process. Nevertheless, they were all given the opportunity to apply their own creativity and ideas.

“Every student got to touch and choose the leaves that they wanted to use in their artwork, and then come up with their own designs. Even when it came to choosing colours, we would tell the blind students what there were, and let them decide how much to mix together and where to apply them,” says Dr Fauzi.

As such, much of it was a spontaneous process, with the students deciding on colours and designs intuitively.
 
(From left) Teh Khalijah Shabudin, Siti Suhailah Muhamad Sabri, Nur Basyirah Mohd Azhar and Mohamad Amirul Ahmad are a few of the visually impaired students from the school whose works are on display at the art exhibition.

“In fact, we tried to replicate some of the hues of the ceramics they created and couldn’t, because they had mixed the different colours based on their own instincts.”

For Amirul Ahmad, 19, the project was a welcome chance to learn something new. “It was very interesting to feel the clay and learn how to use it. Having these skills will also be a valuable career option for us,” he says.

Suhailah adds that she is looking forward to more such projects.

“We would love the opportunity to learn more things and pick up different techniques. I am really proud of the results of our work, and it gives us the confidence to use our imagination.”

Textures And Tactility is on till Feb 29 at NN Gallery, 53A & 56, Jalan Sulaiman 1, Taman Ampang Hilir, KL. Viewing: 9am to 6pm daily (except Sunday and public holidays). Proceeds from sale of the works will go to SMPK Setapak for future art projects. Call 03-4270 6588 or visit nngallery.com.my.

(Source:
http://thestar.com.my/lifestyle/story.asp?file=/2012/2/19/lifearts/10753987&sec=lifearts)

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Support us by volunteering any of our activities or make donation for the project. Please contact:

Vision & Mission

Element
Description
Soil
Awareness as the Foundation
Roots
Success Criteria
Branches
Development Area
Leaves
Specific Programs
Petals
Output
Bud
Vision

Committee

COMMITTEE
GTS MINI-CSR SMPK Setapak


Patron
En. Nordin b. Mat Yusoff
Vice President,
Group Technical Services, MISC Berhad
Advisors
En. Zainuddin b. Mohd Tarmizi
Senior Manager,
Group Technical Services, MISC Berhad
Kamarunnihar E S Abdul Samad
Senior Manager, HR Business Partner (OBU & GTS)
Project Director
Nur Davina Skymmar Bt A Moein Skymmar
Manager, Planning, Research and Technology (GTS)
Team Member
1.    Syaiffira Nadya Bt M Syaiffuddin Suyong
2.       Yong Yuk Chang
3.       Ahmad Afif B Isa
4.       M Khairul Nizam B Zulfikri Gopinath
5.       M Saiful Izwan B Razali
6.       Nurliyana Bt M Fadhil Chong
7.       M Ridzuan B Jemaat
8.   Akmal bin Ibrahim

About

Project Mata Hati was set up in the year 2011 with the goal to develop SMPK Setapak and help enhance the education quality for the students.  Since the project establishment, the team, as well as the school committees are actively seeking for grants and raising funds to set up a trust fund for the school to expand, with the objective of improving the educational standards and facilities, and sustain the activities for the next many years. The grant will enable the school to execute the strategic plan which is designed to inspire the students to reach greater heights, empowering them with confidence, knowledge and skills in the key areas identified. The key areas to be developed include music, sports, creative art, literature, information technology and religion.

The grant will be utilized to improve learning, as well as the quality of life among the blind and visually impaired students. To develop the identified key areas, introduction of new programs and upgrade of facilities are needed, especially to emphasize the use of technology as tools for enhanced learning. Therefore, to house the newly acquired facilities and equipment to meet the new educational demand of the students, the construction of the new block is necessary to provide a proper and feasible educational setting for the students. The space created will be dedicated for the extensive use of the Project Mata Hati programs.

Contact Us

Facebook: http://www.facebook.com/ProjectMataHati
Twitter     : https://twitter.com/#!/ProjectMataHati

If...

If I could hug every child that crossed my path...
I would...
If I can listen to every hopes and dreams that they have...
I will...
Because...
Every child is a gift...
For us to love... to nurture...to care for...
The road might be rocky at times...
The wind may be too strong to go through...
But...
If we hold their hand strongly...
Guiding them to the right path..
Hopes and dreams..
Can be a reality..

InsyaAllah....

sincerely,
Project Mata Hati

Complement

"Definition of complement : something that completes, makes up a whole, or brings to perfection"

That was the first word that came to my mind, when was asked about the modus operandi of Project Mata Hati.

COMPLEMENT.

In summary, Project Mata Hati is about strategic partnership effort between corporates, NGOs and also professionals/individuals, based on the paper work that has been presented to each party.

It is about working together...  roping in experts from each identified development programs (i.e.  sports, IT, music, language, islamic and arts) Numbers of brain storming sessions, discussions over discussions, everyone pouring in their ideas and opinions based on what they know best.. and fyi..these processes, are still on going...

The beauty of this is....

All on voluntary basis :)

Academicians, corporates, NGOs, individuals, professionals...  complementing each other for one reason...

For the benefit of the blind and visually impaired children...

In achieving their hope...their dream .... their goals in life...

InsyaAllah...

On behalf of Project Mata Hati, I wish to express gratitude to all kind hearted individuals out there, who have been very supportive in every way. Project Mata Hati is blessed to surrounded by loving people like you !

Take care all,

May Allah SWT bless you

Sincerely,
Project Mata Hati

Love for the Children

Children are gift from Allah SWT. For us to nurture, to love and to care for. It does sound cliché, as these are the words I keep on using in almost every blog post or notes that I do. Well, that is how I feel, and I believe, you agreed with it too :)

Project Mata Hati is also another project dedicated for the children...children who are blind and visually impaired.

This is a collaborative effort organized by the Parent Teacher Association (PTA) of Sek. Men Pendidikan Khas (Cacat Penglihatan) Setapak, supported by the management of the school and in collaboration with the place I am working with, under the ticket of CSR.

Even though it is under the ticket of a CSR effort of a department in a company, we are trying to get supports from individuals,corporates and NGOs to be involved in as well. Reason is, everyone are talented and expert at their own specialized field. Together, we can turn a glass into a crystal. As the saying goes.. two heads are better than one ! :)

We have identified 6 different category of development programs for the blind and visually impaired students. Those are

a) Music
b) IT
c) Religion ( Tahfiz & Quran Recital)
d) Creative Arts
e) Language & Public Speaking
f) Sports

It is all about the love for the children.... giving them the best that we can...for them to secure a better future... insyaAllah..

For those who have already been involved in this project, my sincere gratitude and appreciation for your time, energy and ideas. May Allah SWT bless you all...

For those who soon to join us, we welcome you with an open arm :)

The Luncheon Charity will be held on 26th February 2011, Saturday, at SMPK (Cacat Penglihatan) Setapak. Proceeds from the fundraising will be used to fund for the 6 development programs as well as some minor facilities upgrading.

Please help us to spread around the words... thank you....

Take care ...

sincerely,
Project Mata Hati

Mata Hati

We wake up in the morning, open up our eyes... and we see...

We see the sun rising up at the sky, while the birds flying around welcoming the bright new day...

We see people passes by, each with destination to head for...

From the heart... we see more...

We see what life is all about...

Compassion and love, hurt and pain, mixed together...

We feel it for those in need... the urge to be there for them...

Because we are seeing through the heart... we are seeing with " Mata Hati "

Project Mata Hati is an effort in realizing the initiatives in creating a better future for the blind and visually impaired children, organized by the PTA of SMPK Setapak, supported by the school, and in collaboration with a corporate organization.

" Seeing Through The Light Of Education"....

Take care all

Sincerely,
Project Mata Hati

Visionary Heart

The classroom was filled with 30 tables... lined up in 4 straight lines... apart from one another

On each table, there was a Perkin braille machine.

It was SPM week.

They sat for their Mathematics paper earlier that day. When asked how was the paper, they smiled and said " OK je :) "

In them... I see calmness, serenity and sincerity

In them... I see ambition, courage and hope

They are blind.. due to their sight, but..

They are very visionary... of what they want to be...

"The only thing worse than being blind is having sight but no vision - Hellen Keller 1880-1968"


Sincerely,
Project Mata Hati