When Did You Start Being Afraid of Creativity?

Photo by Christy Ku

I’ve been a workshop facilitator for a few years now. I’ve worked with people of all ages - from junior school kids to teenagers to young adults to adults much older than me.

I’m a big believer in making creativity accessible for everyone - both the making and the engaging.

The young kids I’ve worked with have no hesitancy with being creative. But it seems when you hit the teenage years and definitely by adulthood, there’s a lot of self-doubt. They instantly say “I’m not creative” or “I’m not good at that”, which is so sad to hear.

We’ve got to make sure that people keep that confidence and openness with creativity. The more we make the arts feel like some exclusive, “too difficult for you peasants” thing, the more we destroy the industry in the long run. We’re cutting off new artists and audiences before they become teenagers.

Something I really love about this piece of art featured in this photo is how so many people have enjoyed this piece so easily. Kids run about, teenagers take selfies and make TikToks, people lie on the ground letting the soundscape wash over them.

There was no fear or hesitancy of “is this for me? Am I good enough to appreciate this correctly?” Just joy.

From LUX: New Wave of Contemporary Art at 180 Strand (‘Starry Beach’ by South Korean collective a’strict) at 180 The Strand.