REALIZING AND PUSHING OUR BOUNDARIES
The practice of painting within the lines is often encouraged in schools and kindergartens, as it is said to help children develop fine motor skills, hand-eye coordination, focus, and cognitive and spatial awareness. However, I believe these skills are not necessarily tied to coloring within the lines; rather, they are linked to the broader acts of drawing and painting.
While I understand the appeal of seeing a neat picture emerge from careful coloring within the lines, this approach often feels disconnected from the essence of creativity and self-expression. When every color and detail is predetermined, it can stifle creativity rather than encourage it, especially when it comes to painting again without these aids.
That's why, in my studio, I love to encourage a different approach. First, I tell people that they don't need to worry about painting over the edges of their paper. As a consequence, the walls of my studio have become a canvas of their own. What began as blank surface over 10 years ago, has gradually transformed into a striking display of lines - evidence of countless moments when paint extended beyond the edges of the paper. These unintentional yet captivating marks, mostly horizontal and vertical, have woven themselves into a complex and dynamic tapestry of communal art.
Secondly, I motivate people to view the edges of their paper not as boundaries but as starting points. As their painting is growing, they are free to extend their work in any direction they choose, by adding more sheets of paper.
Both of these approaches derive from Arno Stern's concept of the painting game and they resonate deeply with me, reflecting my perspective as a medical anthropologist who is attuned to the invisible structures and constraints that shape our lives. We often live within unseen boundaries, not only in art but also in our daily routines and beliefs. Recognizing that these boundaries are not fixed but are constructs we can challenge is profound, liberating and a crucial step in unlocking creativity.
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