Art review: All art needs is a free hand

French artist Laurence Savary gives children the space to redefine beauty

An average crayon drawing by a child might not be particularly engaging — it lacks the depth and refinement that many seek in a modern work of art. But as any well-informed artist would tell you, it is not always wise to judge a painting at first glance. Similarly, a closer look at these drawings will reveal how vocal a child’s art can be.

A drawing by Gulmit students Shaila Hossina and Bibi dedicated to their country, Pakistan.   Photos courtesy: Laurence Savary

Since most children these days are conditioned to think in a certain way at school and at home — for instance, a predefined perception of beauty — it has become difficult to nurture their inherent creativity. It often remains dormant and, over time, fades away. Being well-aware of the downside of disciplining children into thinking within boundaries, Cape Town-based French artist Laurence Savary gives the younger lot a free hand to redefine beauty.

After showcasing her work at the ‘Colour Walk to South Africa’ exhibition held at the VM Art gallery, Karachi, in August, Laurence travelled to Hunza valley to meet her adoptive family. There, she taught photography to the children of the state-run Gulmit Secondary High School and encouraged them to explore their creative side. To get the creative juices flowing, Laurence displayed her photographs in the school’s garden — a basic juxtaposition of a natural image with a human one. She encouraged the young girls to look at the photographs and draw them in light of their own experiences.

Various depictions of the Namaqualand ice plant captured by the artist in one of her photographs.   Photos courtesy: Laurence Savary

The results were striking. Taking cue from the picture of two daisy seeds, two Gulmit girls drew a flower and butterfly. The drawing, however, also had a literal dimension of expression to it in which the two girls added a caption allowing the butterfly to describe its feelings to the flower. Similarly, in a display of four pictures, one of which is of the Namaqualand ice plant taken by Savary, her pupils reflect her philosophy of art and beauty. One of the pictures recreates the flower in a cubist style, diminishing the three-dimensional quality of the picture in a remarkable way. In contrast, two other artists build on the 3D effect of the photostat picture. One used lighter shades of primary colours and a moderated background to focus on the plant, while another attempts to sharpen the background to focus on the flower, using bold blue and orange to inject colour and highlight the flower further. The work of the students at Gulmit and those assembled from similar projects in Cape Town, is currently on display at the Athlone Library, Cape Town.

Students of the Design Academy of Fashion in Cape Town take inspiration from flowers for their dress designs.    Photos courtesy: Laurence Savary

The effect of colours and perspective in each picture shows how any object can be represented in multiple ways, depending on the individual’s interpretation. A student from the Design Academy of Fashion, Cape Town, even drew a girl wearing a skirt that imitated the orange petals of a Namaqualand flower, showing just how inspiring nature can be in everyday designs.

Students of Gulmit proudly displaying their work of art.   Photos courtesy: Laurence Savary

Artist Laurence Savary talking to a student at the art exhibit in Cape Town.  Photos courtesy: Laurence Savary

Pictures of student art and their journey to creativity displayed at the Athlone Library, Cape Town. Photos courtesy: Laurence Savary

Savary’s approach to art brings to mind John Keats’ opening lines in Ode to Endymion, “A thing of beauty is a joy forever; its loveliness increases.” She believes that people should define and depict beauty in a way that is not only unique but is also an extension of who they are.

Minerwa Tahir is a trainee subeditor at the Karachi desk. 

Published in The Express Tribune, Sunday Magazine, October 19^th, 2014.