Towards routes painted by colours: An approach to my experience with Art and Education
a new piece by Youth Blogger Jimena Yengle
Since I was a child, both my surroundings and my interior have made me question the meaning of my Art, the reason for my strokes and their usefulness. What impact would this galaxy have if I decided to paint or not? What could change and what could not change? It seemed that no one understood that there was something deeper that guided me to take the brushes, and that my heart knew why I did it, only that I still needed to find the words to share it. I grew up among fantastic stories, music, sincere love, vintage movies and flat walls ready to be painted. Those walls saw me try again and again, explore every wacky and fanciful concept, and reminded me that there was always so much more to investigate, always something more to feel. With 4 walls I could feel that I had space in my hands, and that gave power to my imagination and expressiveness.
Image Description: a brightly coloured painting. Faces, people, smiles, and designs fill this yellow background with life and colour.
This is how I discovered a truth about the meaning of my Art, and incidentally, one about true education: Learning to think for yourself. It is what colours our steps and makes us aware of our active role as creators. It is the great power of education, and what finally leads us between decisions, reflections, doubts, conflicts and experiences.
What would two words as different as Art and Education have to do with each other?...Between fairies, pirates and princesses, I discovered that by creating a poem, I took possession of my compassion, my sensitivity and my humanity. Art allows us to cultivate the feelings that we erroneously classify as "weak", because only from vulnerability does authenticity arise, innovation is born and creative thinking is corroborated, from where true solutions arise. Thinking for yourself involves creating our solutions and alternatives to problems, for smaller than they look.
Little by little I discovered that when telling a story, it carried something more than a message. It conveyed a possibility. That of getting closer as human beings open to listening, collaborating and sharing what is significant. The opportunity to get to know the world a little more each day, is for me the call to research. Artists are great researchers of feelings, concepts, scenarios and souls. Let's continue to believe in the world as a library of illusions, flavours, textures and alternatives, because that is what education is about. It is a journey full of colourful routes.
Which leads us to another small discovery. Over the years I realized that Art has built an even stronger link with education, a link based on doubt. Thanks to Art I always had a space full of questions in my heart. Working with the children of my community art space, I understood that asking a question is worth more than giving an answer. Questioning has colours, and repetition is black and white. From there I can say that it is worth applauding the sensitivity. The one that occurs when we create a story and read it in public, when we feel the pain of others, when we listen to those who need us, and when we love intensely.
Let's teach that in the world there are many things that we must work on and improve, but there are many more that are wonderful. And it is in our hands that love is stronger than chaos. Let's teach to propose creative solutions to any number of problems .Let's cultivate lateral thinking through patient questions, without pressure or replacements. May Art be present at the time of educating ourselves.
Image Description: The writer, and artists, Jimena stands in front of the painting pictured above. She wears a dark blue top and stands in profile smiling at the artwork. Her long brunette hair is pulled back from her face.
