Ox Warehouse showcases second edition of children’s artworks

Cora Si, curator of the exhibition

Ox Warehouse Children’s Artland has launched its second series of its “Jolly Joint Exhibition,” in a bid to raise awareness about local children’s contemporary and experimental art.
The “Jolly Joint Exhibition II” features various children’s visual artworks in a number of forms, such as paper and other materials.
Cora Si, curator of the exhibition told the Times that this year’s edition is by far the best they have had, as the workshops  have attracted a great number of local children.
“Now I think this is the best model. The challenge now is how to do the exhibition better,” she said.
Si also stressed that she aims to further develop such exhibitions to showcase the creativity and talent of children in the region.
“We admit that a different exhibition theme and a new set of elements would give visitors a sense of novelty but for the sake of the young participants, we prioritize their growth in creative terms,” she explained.
According to her, Ox Warehouse has invited a number of local and non-local artists to hold several workshops which would be showcased in the exhibition.

Children’s artwork

Si admitted that she had always considered including a performance in the Children’s Artland, however there had been no opportunity to engage with artists who could provide workshops to local children.
Hence, this year, two Malaysian shadow puppetry artists are holding a three-week Shadow Play workshop at Ox Warehouse’s premises, allowing participants to conceive a story, be involved in creating puppets and take part in the workshop’s small performance.
Ox Warehouse continues to co-­organize a flea market supporting Best Buddies’ message of “friendship, integration, equality and caring.” Best Buddies is a non-profit organization that supports people with intellectual and developmental disabilities.
To support the notion of social inclusion, the flea market will feature booths selling creative items, a parent-child workshop and live shows from September 10 to 11.
Further, Design For Change (DFC) Macau, a global non-­profit movement that cultivates in children the mindset of “I can”, will hold its workshop in Ox Warehouse during the exhibition period.
From August 15 to 31, children aged 9 to 15 can take part in the workshop where they could learn creative thinking; empathy and communication skills; teamwork; problem solving; and confidence building.
Moreover, Si hoped such exhibitions will further be promoted in the region, along with further support for the children’s family.
“Apparently, it is not difficult for a child to create art, the challenge instead lies in whether or not a family will value and keep the child’s work,” she noted.
“Ox Warehouse Children’s Artland – Jolly Joint Exhibition II” will be opened until September 18.

“Shadow Play” workshop