Starry,Starry Night.

Left: Brandon Right: Me

For this activity, each Y*Star is given a photocopy of a drawing of Vincent Van Gogh's famous painting: Starry Starry Night. They are required to draw/paint a replica of it.

During the briefing, the teachers said that Y*Star do not have a high expectations of their replicated artwork as compared to us (ordinary Singaporean). They just draw whatever they see, colours, shape and objects.

As this is my first time interacting with Brandon, I try to guess his personality and approach him in a different manner that is comfortable to him. For instance, I try not to apply the previous experience that I have gained from the interactions with those active Y*Star in the past few art session. This session is different for me because I am paired with Bradon who is soft-spoken and not as loud and pro-active as Ben Yao and Wai Heng.

First, when Brandon and I was preparing the materials such as paint, I asked him if he had a plan on how to replicate the painting. Unlike Wai Heng, he had no idea how to start and requires my guidance.

What do you want to use to outline? Pencil or Markers?

What colors do you think you will need ?

Those are the questions I found myself asking him.

He was focused on using the marker to outline and draw the details such as there are 7 stars in the sky.

Top: Photocopy of Vincent Van Gogh's Starry Starry Night

Bottom: My replica of Vincent Van Gogh's Starry Starry Night

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After outlining, Brandon picked up his paintbrush and started painting.

One fellow volunteer encouraged me to paint with him. I did and I am glad I picked up the paintbrush and drawing block because Brandon was so focus on painting that I could not start a conversation with him.

I tried once but when I asked him a question, he immediately stopped his paintbrush and looked at me. Of course, it is a courtesy of him to do so but I realized it is not a good idea to talk to him while he is painting as the art lesson ends at 12.30 pm and all drawings must be finished by then.

It brought me joy that when Brandon is happy and it also assured me that using a different approach (such as painting with him) is not a wrong thing to do.

Reflection

Though Brandon did not have a plan on how to start the artwork, he paid attention to details and tried his best to outline. He never stops outlining and painting throughout the art class. I learnt that they have never - say - die attitude. I believe that people with invisible disabilities have the potential to be employed and work because they are hard-working, patience and have a never-die attitude. All they need is extra guidance.

The estimated 95 per cent unemployment rate of PWDs is many times over the 2 per cent unemployment rate of the general population. - TODAYonline

Although government have encourage inclusive employment such as SG Enable, a government-linked agency “dedicated to enabling the disabled”, more needs to be done to promote inclusivity.

Its ( Government's) commitment to protect the interests of PWDs is underscored by the ratification of the United Nations Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities in 2013. - TODAYonline