There's an increase in the number of people who are interested in the areas of arts

Topic: Interest and involvement in the arts

Even though I am unskilled in art, but art possessed a kind of attraction to me, it is like how magnets are attracted to each other. The kind of art I am drawn to are origami, iris folding and frottage. 

Origami seems ironic, but the truth is a simple medium such as a piece of paper, can be made into arrays of creations. The flexibility of papers amazes me, for it can be made into soft tender beauties like flowers and spirals, yet it also can be sculpted into solid like structures, such as castles, cottages and modular. Of the many creations are snowflakes, flowers, stars, castle, cottages, dragons, cartoon characters, modular and several other things.

Even though it can be made into a variety of things, skills are also required for such creations, and time is required to hone the skill.

Similarly for iris folding, its basic medium is paper. Its swirling effect is specially beautiful if two contrasting colours are used to amplify the swirl effect. Of all the cards I have made for friends and family members, iris folding and origami often bring the joy of amazement to them. 

Such beauty and amazement is portrayable in this medium of paper sculpting, which written words often fails to make the amazement visible. Which is also why art is attractive to me.

Art is also a platform of expression, which helps to bring the daily neglected beauty of nature to a more visible form. It is what frottage is able to do. 

For example, frottage can capture the texture and patterns of leaves with different colours. Leaves gives me a peaceful feeling, peaceful colour, like light purple amplify that feeling. With several copies of the leaves, I created flowers, which exudes a sense of peace.

Going for art exhibitions are enjoyable experiences for me, as it feels like time has come to a standstill and it broadens my perspectives. For the exhibits have captured the essence of people’s thoughts and perception in the form of drawings, sculptures, photography and even multi-media. Going to exhibitions feel like images of diary coming to life. 

One of the exhibits that left a deep impression on me was the wire sculpture, title ‘Inside’. It involves a cage that houses people who are in their usual activity of life. The people in the cage do not exhibit any sense of captivity, but to outsiders like us, these people are trapped. The sculpture is portraying people who had adapted to the limitations and restrictions and that had blinded them to be aware of what is missing in their lives.

This sculpture brings me to relate to those who spent decades of their lives for their dedication in working for money to earn a livelihood, while neglecting their beloved families and friends. Not only that, this mentality of ‘life is all about making money’ also instill greed and materialism. Which is an apparent trend in our society. 

Even though I am not a professional artist, being able to appreciate art allows me to appreciate life better. I hope others will adopt such appreciation to arts as well.

by Aw Yee Fung




Win Nie