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<\/p>\nSINGAPORE \u2013 Art is a source of comfort for 10-year-old Chua Kah Ing when she feels anxious.<\/p>\n
\u201cI felt like all my problems would go away. When I see this picture it makes me very calm,\u201d she said of her watercolour painting of a full moon over a mountain.<\/p>\n
The Primary 4 pupil from Opera Estate Primary School said she chose to use the colour blue in the painting as it calms her whenever she feels sad. Pink, which lines the landscape\u2019s horizon, reminds her of her happiness.<\/p>\n
Kah Ing is among more than 120 children whose works are showcased at Bedok Library in the art exhibition, SELebrate! \u2013 The Colours Of Emotion: A Journey In Art, which opened on June 1 and runs till June 29.<\/p>\n
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Chua Kah Ing, 10, with her artwork exhibited at the SELebrate! \u2013 The Colours Of Emotion: A Journey In Art exhibition at Bedok Library on June 20.ST PHOTO: CHONG JUN LIANG<\/p>\n
The exhibition displays works from children who attended Social Emotional Learning (SEL) art workshops, which were organised by Morning Star Community Services and designed to help children manage stress. <\/p>\n
Morning Star believes that emotional regulation is something many children struggle with in a fast-paced, high-pressure environment like Singapore. Apart from the possibility of experiencing academic stress, children could face relational challenges such as misunderstandings with friends and communication gaps at home. These experiences, when unaddressed, can affect their mental well-being and development.<\/p>\n
In line with the non-profit\u2019s mission to support children and families, Morning Star launched structured art workshops that use visual art to express the six core emotions and achieve social-emotional learning outcomes.<\/p>\n
Its SEL art classes were conducted at seven primary schools and at the organisation\u2019s student care centres in Sengkang and Hougang.<\/p>\n
The art exhibition marks the launch of Morning Star\u2019s public education initiative SELebrate, which advocates for SEL as a means to build resilient families and emotionally healthy individuals.\u00a0<\/p>\n
\u201cThis exhibition is a window into how children see and feel the world around them. Through art, they learn to name, understand and regulate their emotions \u2013 a key building block of mental wellness,\u201d said Mr Freddie Low, executive director of Morning Star.\u00a0<\/p>\n
Samuel Lee, 14, said the reds, greens and blues in his painting of a rainbow over green mountains, A Wonderful Scenery, calm him, while the yellow sun \u201cbrightens up\u201d his feelings.<\/p>\n
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Samuel Lee, 14, with his artwork exhibited at the SELebrate! \u2013 The Colours Of Emotion: A Journey In Art exhibition at Bedok Library on June 20.ST PHOTO: CHONG JUN LIANG<\/p>\n
He attended SEL art workshops as part of Morning Star\u2019s CareNights programme, which provides evening care for children aged six to 14.\u00a0<\/p>\n
For Kendric Chai, an eight-year-old pupil from Morning Star\u2019s Aspire student care programme, blue is \u201cas peaceful as a river\u201d. His painting at the exhibition, A Peaceful House, depicts a house in light blue to represent peace and relaxation. <\/p>\n
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Kendric Chai, eight, with his artwork exhibited at the SELebrate! \u2013 The Colours Of Emotion: A Journey In Art exhibition at Bedok Library on June 20.ST PHOTO: CHONG JUN LIANG<\/p>\n
SEL art workshops are immersive and sensory-based, using music to aid reflection during painting sessions. After each piece of music, facilitators prompt the children to identify the emotion expressed by the music and imagine colours or shapes that come to mind when they feel this emotion.\u00a0These prompts help students visualise emotions and communicate them in their art.<\/p>\n
Chen Ye Ning, 10, said she finds it easier to explain what she feels using colours and shapes than with words, and this helps her to better understand emotions like calmness and nervousness.<\/p>\n
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Chen Ye Ning, 10, with her artwork exhibited at the SELebrate! \u2013 The Colours Of Emotion: A Journey In Art exhibition at Bedok Library on June 20.ST PHOTO: CHONG JUN LIANG<\/p>\n
Her painting at the exhibition, Peace In Space, is a tranquil scene of the planet Jupiter surrounded by numerous stars dotting the emptiness of outer space.<\/p>\n
The exhibition at Bedok Library includes a video essay featuring selected artworks and the Singapore Symphony Orchestra\u2019s performance of Holiday, the fifth movement of Day In The Lion City, an orchestral suite by Singaporean composer Kelly Tang.<\/p>\n