Workshop around the theme UWU

Art workshop with the practitioner Sara

Had in total 5 workshops with three schools

Initially had two more poetry workshops but got canceled

Workshop – presentation, introduction, four corners, looking at the exhibition and select favourite piece, collage and stencil

My task: introduce myself, about NSI and the exhibition plus safety rules

The target demographic were primary schools Year 5 and 6

How I felt before – nervous to interact with children and the teachers

Got used to it but it drained a lot of energy

It was interesting to see what their response and the outcome

More open conversations

Lack of time to present was a shame, would have been nice to share the works with everyone

Energy consuming, draining to deal with and interact a lot of young people

Improvement/something to think about= how I should encourage them to think and to be more on theme as many of them went on do irrelevant topic

When told this to my superior, they told be likely because of the choices of the magazines, if they are relating to gardening or kids less likely to find a topic around war.

However it’s hard to find the balance as they recently receive a formal complaint that during the workshop, the newspaper that was used had smoking advertisement in it. So, the person found it inappropriate for primary school students.

Whilst preparing for the exhibition, I contacted the artists who had their work selected. A lot of them returned with no response, however, a few came back to me which I had a chance to interact with them and it led to an opportunity to build a relationship with a new group.

One of the works titled ‘Agent Orange’ – about the how the chemical weapon affect on children during the Vietnam War was the one. Even though I didn’t directly interacted with the artist but with their teacher, it was apparent that they were very much pleased to be inform that work will be exhibited for two weeks. Furthermore, they separately approached Vietsocial – a social community site for Vietnamese in the UK and made into exhibition visit event to support the work and the artists.

I was asked to guide the exhibition and give in depth information to the visitors and answer to the questions they may have.

There were around 14-15 people who came by and I showed them around and hand out leaflets and NSI goods. I was worried if they’d be disappointed to discover the exhibition is not solely about Vietnam, however, they showed great interest on other artworks, also some of them asked about the motif of the exhibition, and about other works. They said very positive feedback along with some comments that they’d want to see the description on the method and material each artist use or wishing NSI to reach further to exhibit in countries where the artists are from.

At the end all the people – including myself- took a picture in front of ‘Agent Orange’, then they invited me to dinner as an aftermath. We had Vietnamese.

Next day, the artist sent a video message to the people came for the exhibition thanking for the support they showed on her work and others. This was something yet again, being a platform for marginalised voice such as young people to her community and reaching out to wider audience felt empowering. Even if it’s far away, but fact the artist was able to comprehend that her work was shown and been receiving an evoking response, it was striking to see.

I could have gave a detailed description on how the installation of the exhibition, ‘Unity without Uniformity’. However, frankly I couldn’t remember much of it but the fact I was tired and stressed. There was minor disagreement on one of walls display juxtaposition and series of interruption from the people.

On the day of the private view, I was just incredibly stressed. There were so much tasks I have to go through from the morning until the prep for the private view. Collecting the prints, 1-1 tutorial, putting up the flyers and expiation and constant email exchanges in-between, which I almost was late for the actual event.

The major concern was how many people would attend the event as many reply to our invitation was maybe. We were worried if the event will become empty with leftover foods.

However, in reality quite a number of attendees has came by (my sister, friends, and our ups tutor, Sam) and several others who passed by the exhibition wanting to have a look. My landlady and my sister brought a bouquet of flowers which made me feel like a successful artist who just opened a solo exhibition. Along with that, the previous NSI interns, Kulsoma and Vivi came and stayed until the end of the event. This ended up with us exchanging numbers followed by useful advices from them.

The reception was overwhelmingly positive, even after the private view, local library users came by and looked around, which I had a chance to speak to them. On Saturday, a group of people from Vietsocial (network community site for Vietnamese in the UK) visited to show their support for the work, ‘Agent Orange’ by Vietnamese artist featured in the exhibition.

Needless to say, it has been a hectic week, considering the workshops followed with the opening. But in that short amount of time, I really felt the various responses and interaction amongst people. Thus as a person who is responsible for the view, I was eccentric that the works were recognised and appreciated.

When I was calling my family talking about when I’m up to with the project, they said, ‘you’re basically a curator and event organiser’. To which I realised that’s what I was doing, whereas before it didn’t reached to my mind. To confess the truth, even right before setting and private view, I didn’t recognise what I was exactly doing. But once becoming discern of the value of my work, there was a sense of weight in the project.

Looking at the works by the children makes me think to express their view on such heavy pressuring topic such as war and conflicts through art is a courageous thing to do. Even to adults, it’s difficult to speak on. I became respect the artists on our exhibition once again.

It’d have been wonderful if they were able to see the exhibition and its reception.

As soon as we’ve returned from the spring break, Ama has found out with one of our application for grant has been accepted and we receive the good amount 1500 pounds!

This was entirely on her where she applied for at least over five different funds and such. Although I helped looking for other possible funding organisations, she wrote the applications, went through all the forms. I’m truly grateful for her hard work and I’m very happy that most of the things are getting on track!

This is about SIP, and in fact documenting a journey in finding the venue and despite our concerns, we managed to end up somewhere.

As previously mentioned, for the past several weeks, we had difficulties finding the venue for the ‘Unity without Uniformity’ exhibition – SIP Project. The UAL Bounce fund we initially planning to apply didn’t seem to be open for application any time soon (it still hasn’t) and when in contacting other venues, there were multiple reasons to be ceased fired such as it’s fully booked, they no longer take more exhibitions, and budgets, etc.

This issue has been frustrating in many parts especially, this was vital, we couldn’t move forward on our SIP. Ama and I looked into venues that were bookable, free space and etc.

The first positive response we’ve got was Peckham library, but however, the exhibition space they offered was a corridor to entrance and it wasn’t ideal for our project.

After multiple rejections and non replies, somehow, we became in contact with the manager in Tate Streatham Library. If I confess, at first, I was half doubting even for the positive response as (probably many previous rejections) I assumed there’d be some problems or fatal restriction to the space.

However to my surprise, when we visited the venue and met the manager matched with almost all of the condition along with friendly gesture from the manager and her thorough explanation of the venue. After the hopeful meeting, we fixed on the specific dates and passed the information of her asking for confirmation.

And she replied, yes, I’ve penciled in for you for those dates.

Therefore, finally, the venue for our SIP has been settled, thus we’re already to move on to the next part.

Is a title for my SIP which is an exhibition of the archived artworks by children and young people NSI collected over the years; and we’re planning to hold in May (originally was it bound to be set in February but due to the issues with the venue it was postponed.)

Unity without Uniformity in relation to social justice principles and so forth, touches on the impact of cultural background on the perception on social justice and conflicts of children and young people. Let’s say for example, one who came a country that has an Independence Day would view colonisation rather differently from one that doesn’t; it’s just natural for one to be more alerted of the incidents and issues arose within one’s circle. The discussion surrounding the theme will be about embracing those diverse perspectives, it’s all heading to the same desire: Prosperity and peace, quoting from our current exhibition statement: “These works show the importance in accepting and understanding cultures, as well as highlighting the strengths in our differences. Unity without uniformity allows everyone to live amongst each other peacefully and prosperously.”

I think it was an intriguing subject to touch on considering the UK (especially) London is diverse society, and including myself, there’re many people from so many cultures has gathered in this place.

The aimed outcome will be 2 weeks long exhibition but practical workshops will be delivered during the time inviting local schools alike, not only that, archived booklet/brochure will be produced as a record of the project.

Initially, the exhibition was planned to be in early February, however, due to issues around the venue, it was postponed to May.

I started to plan my SIP quite earlier on as NSI had provided the opportunity for us to organise an exhibition of the children’s works next year February.

So, myself and my DPS colleague, Ama went through a brainstorming as a first step into the exhibition.

We used the site called ‘miro’ where we can draw, highlight and insert images. The following are the excerpts of our traces of thoughts.

In terms of the theme, it was decided to go with my idea, where we focus on environmental diversity thus each cultural point of view when looking at war and conflicts; as when it comes to this particular subject one might recall very specific incident or situation that happened in their country or historical context in their background and so on. I talked about it might be interesting to look at the difference perspective on the topic but how on the contrary it leads to same desire and conclusion; that is for the better.

So, we both agreed for the theme and when coming up with the title, Ama suggested simply, ‘Unity without Uniformity’. I thought it was simple and effective thus, the first stages of planning has been decided.