Activism through art: Underprivileged children experiment with creativity

Mashal Model School students participate in art therapy workshop.

ISLAMABAD:

When he is not picking trash or washing cars, Sher* Khan enjoys his time at school. The fifth grader at Mashal Model School aspires to become a doctor. At his most animated, he sings to keep his friends entertained.

Sprawled on a terrace floor on Tuesday, he was with his friends making a collage with colourful glazed paper, intermittently humming a tune. This was a timeout for the children to soak up some winter sun and vent their creativity. A total of 35 schoolchildren participated in the art therapy workshop at Nomad Centre and Art Gallery.

Sana, an intern who was supervising the workshop, said, “Every little act to make these kids happy counts. I think they are enjoying but they are more focused on perfection. They don’t know what is freehand. They are worried about ruining things rather than making things for themselves.” The event promoted healthy competition, with an aim to bring out the best in each child.

Ziaul Karim, an upcoming musician, played the rubab and flute, adding to the ambience, while renowned calligrapher Riffat Khattak wrote children’s names in calligraphic script.

“We are trying to bring out the creativity in these children. They have it hidden in them, it’s there. We need to have different mediums through which they can express themselves,” said Zeba Husain, the school principal and director. “We are giving them an idea of what the world is all about, opening doors for them, giving them opportunities. These kids go through a lot of trauma. They go through sexual and emotional abuse, violence at home and on the streets,” she added.

“Art and music is the best therapy and the best way to express one’s self. So while the mode is very playful, there is an underlining sadness. Through their colours or words, we want to provide these children a creative outlet to encourage and heal them,” said Nageen Hayat, the director of Nomad Centre and Art Gallery. She further said that involvement of the children’s parents is a key to combating the twin menace of violence and abuse.

The campaign for 16 days of activism against gender violence is part of Nomad’s programme “Art for Social Change, Peace and Activism”. It has been organised in collaboration with UN Women.

To this end, an exhibition of artworks is also ongoing at the gallery. The artwork is a result of workshops, discussions, conceptual ideas and responses to the volatile situation — the margninalisation of women, youth and the demand to repeal discriminatory laws.

Participating artists include NH Kazmi, Ahmad Habib, Zia Zaidi, Tayyaba Aziz, Riffat Khattak, Zahra Shamail Kazmi, Tabbassum Rizvi, Sana Ibrahim, Manizha Janbaz and Naeem Alam.

Explaining the idea behind the initiative, Hayat said, “Woman is the creator, the thread that gives us life. She challenges stereotypes and fights taboos. The campaign draws on the inherent strength of women and girls, highlighting their challenges with discrimination and violence.” The campaign will continue till December 10.

Published in The Express Tribune, December 4^th, 2013.