Our Journal
Stories That Inspire, Connections That Create
In this powerful reflection, Muhammad Hidayat, a theatre practitioner and accessibility consultant, shares his journey as a vision-impaired artist navigating new creative mediums. Through his experience at our printmaking workshop, he discovered how adaptive tools and a collaborative environment could expand artistic possibilities beyond traditional expectations.
In her reflective piece Shahirah shares the moving stories of individuals who came together to redefine what inclusion in the arts can look like.
Let’s have a real conversation about creativity and safety in our classrooms, communities and studios. How can we as artists educators dedicate ourselves to creating safe spaces where trust and acceptance become the foundation of creativity.
Drawing inspiration from our signature workshop, ‘Photo Embroidery Storytelling with Stitches & Images,’ this workshop was a poignant exploration into inner child healing through the exquisite art of Photo Embroidery.
If you’re feeling exhausted and uninspired, know that you’re not alone. Many art educators experience this same struggle, especially when they’re pouring their energy into lesson planning, grading, and managing a classroom on top of their own creative pursuits. But there’s good news: taking time for creative rest can make all the difference.
Alternative photography is an exciting and innovative art form that can be a great learning opportunity for students in schools. With the guidance of knowledgeable facilitators, students can discover the creative and scientific aspects of this unique art form.
When we think of art, we often think of paintings, sculptures, and other objects that can be displayed in a museum or gallery. We don’t usually think of art as a tool for learning.
At Co:Creation Workshop, we believe that art can be so much more than just a way to decorate our surroundings. We believe that art can be used to teach us about ourselves, our communities, and the world around us.
It’s Monday morning and Mary Monterio is having a ball of a time. While laying out flowers on cyanotype paper, the 78-year-old exclaims that the flowers appear to be saying hello to her. A stray flower escapes the arrangement and she chides that it’s getting “naughty”. She uses bold brushstrokes to coat the print with a special light-sensitive solution and gives a final flourish.
Nur Rabiatutadawiah Binte Mohamed Rafi (‘Rabia’) feeds a strip of yarn over the latch-hook, pushes it through the canvas backing to create a small, even loop. She pulls the string taut, brow furrowed in concentration. It’s a delicate process which requires steady hands and plenty of patience. Rabia repeats the process over and over again, until a bright yellow sunflower slowly forms.
Seated on a wheelchair beside her is young mentee Tamimi Pohan, born with brittle bone disease. The 14-year-old works slowly, carefully using a lino cutter to cut out the shape of a durian. The afternoon rays of the sun fall slanting on their table, casting a honey-gold hue over the scene.
Working with marginalised communities and giving them a voice has always been a guiding philosophy of Mary’s artistic practice.
Intricately molded dragons perched atop the rim of a ceramic bow, fashioned after the characters in How to Train Your Dragon. A cheery-looking miniature train inspired by Thomas the Tank Engine. Troll figurines that stand stiffly like sentinels.
These tiny, delicate marvels are just some of 19-year-old Ang Shuhao’s clay creations made during his free time, offering a tiny glimpse into the rich inner world of his imagination.
Co:Creation Workshop team is moving to a new home this July and we say our goodbyes to our old studio at Pearl’s Hill Terrace. The tiny studio space at Pearl’s Hill Terrace has brought about Co:Creation’s many firsts as a startup.
