Hidden
Talents:
artists
in the diplomatic
life
Women
don’t always
have to give
up creative
talents when
they marry
and follow
their husbands
half way round
the world.
This has been
made clear
by a group
of ambassadors
wives, who
in normal
circumstances
are uprooted
every couple
of years and
transferred
to a new posting.
It is possible
to bring one’s
talents with
one and apply
them; use
the opportunities
and inspiration
offered by
a foreign
place and
new people.
Bring together
a random group
of ambassadors
wives and
you find trained
artists and
calligraphers,
a theatre
producer,
an interior
designer and
movie set
designer,
as well as
a few modest
souls who
insist that
they are,
just a housewife.
What they
have in common
is an urge
to create,
to indulge
their passions
and express
what’s inside
through a
wide range
of different
media.
And when women
get together
and decide
to do something,
they invariable
surprise us.
The hidden
talents tucked
away in the
embassies
of Singapore
are set to
raise more
than a few
eyebrows as
their work
goes on show.
Not only is
there highly
accomplished
calligraphy
from a woman
trained by
a master,
but sophisticated
Chinese brush
painting from
one who took
up the art
recently.
We find a
vibrant, bold
painting from
another who
had never
held a paintbrush
before, as
well as accomplished
paintings
by trained
hands.
Just as fascinating
is the craft
element that
has been produced:
painted porcelain,
beautifully
bound books,
and exquisite
quilting,
among others.
Craft has
historically
been regarded
as “what women
do”, as opposed
to “real”
art, which
is what men
do. Craft
and art are
ultimately
two sides
of the same
coin, and
seeing all
the work side
by side, one
realises there
is nothing
inferior about
“what women
do”.
Hidden talents
should, if
nothing else,
serve as an
example of
what can be
achieved if
people try
to go beyond
the everyday
and do something
different.
What this
group of women
have demonstrated
is that creativity
lies within
all of us,
it just takes
a decision
to go ahead
and do it!
Hidden Talents:
