HONG KONG (SE): “I felt puzzled at first about how to draw a rose in a circle. But in the end, I could make it. It is like my relationship with God. I may not always understand what God wants me to do. My trust in God is developed through experiences,” said Kylie Chan Kar-man, a participant of an art and spirituality workshop organised by the Greenfield Chapel in Sheung Wan.
The chapel began the workshop in June this year to help people meet God through art and also as a way to relieve stress during the Covid-19 coronavirus (SARS-CoV-2) pandemic. With pandemic restrictions imposed in August, the workshop was given online. Face-to-face sessions were resumed in October, but the chapel could only accommodate around 20 people. Hence, online sessions continue to cater to those interested in joining online.
Instructor of the workshop, Sister Ann Pauline Nguyen, from the Sisters of St. Paul de Chartres, said the available slots for face-to-face sessions were quickly filled within a few hours after it was announced on Facebook. In spite of her busy schedule, she makes time to organise the workshops because of the evident enthusiasm of the participants.
Sister Ngyen believes the advantage of combining art and spirituality is that, while expressing themselves in art, participants unintentionally show their emotions, which is a good chance for them to know about themselves and their relationship with God.
She observed that many participants were too anxious about the result and thus forgot to enjoy the process of drawing. Some were reluctant to use dark colours, but were surprised that blacks or blues could create a beautiful contrast with light tones. “Dark colours are like difficulties in which God wants us to grow up,” she said.
In the two-and-a-half hour workshop on October 25, participants were given instructions on how to draw a rose to mark the Month of the Rosary. While demonstrating the technique, Sister Nguyen gave those present a reminder: “Using pastel is like getting along with people or family members. Never get carried away. Do everything with restraint and control your emotions.”
She shared with the Sunday Examiner that some participants in an earlier workshop themed, My Weaknesses, shared about their arguments in family while confined together at home in the pandemic, and felt encouraged to seek reconciliation.
Daphne Kung Yuk-lan said that at first she felt unsure about whether she had used the techniques properly but then she was inspired as Sister Nguyen said the rose of each of the participants was beautiful in its own way and would blossom better if they liked how it looked.
Kung said she was thankful to the sister for organising the workshop and giving encouragement to participants. Working in a loan company, she said she met many people under pressure in the present economic downturn and she thought Hong Kong people really need different ways to relieve their stress.
Choi Ka-po, the photographer of the workshop, said that while taking photos, she observed that almost every participant at first tended to compare their work with others and found themselves lacking something, but were more confident after Sister Nguyen reminded them to appreciate their own work.
She believes that, in fact, every one that day, even a four-year-old girl who came with her mother, did a good job. “We are created unique by God, which we just need to be aware of it,” she said.
