On 4 November, the Australian High Commission hosted the opening of IN Art Exhibition, an exhibition that gathered the international school community together. The exhibition showcased the creative works of student artists from 14 international schools across Singapore. Ranging from oil and acrylic on canvas to digital work, installations made of clothes, paper and random objects that become meaningful within the art context, a total of 180 outstanding pieces of artwork decorated the walls of the Australian High Commission’s exceptionally bright gallery space.

Although IN Exhibition has been an annual event since 2011, CIS participated in the 2015 exhibition for the first time, thanks to Secondary School’s Arts Lead Teacher, Megan Hall’s leadership. CIS Secondary students demonstrated their talent and creativity at the exhibition, using art as a way to raise awareness on global concerns, to reflect upon personal experiences, and to express their inner world - through a platform of different materials and media.

Grade 12 students represented the majority of our CIS artists. Nicole Van Duijvenbode had a special mention of her artwork “Save Me”, a hand sewn purple stuffed squid stuck in a blue tin bucket, from the Australian High Commissioner during his welcome speech. Tiffany Tsui compiled tickets from Melbourne, postcards from Singapore and other paper objects for her globally inspired artwork “Where is Tiffany?”. Her love of traveling inspired her to create this installation art piece. Ca May Ng had two art pieces, “The Lollipop Man” and “Labyrinth”, both predominantly black oil paintings. Danya Carmen Soh’s acrylic “Temple in the West” portrayed a beautiful pink temple on a vibrant blue background.

Other secondary artists also participated. Grade 11 student Nianhang Huang submitted a painting of an expat lady - striking due to both the choice of colours and the way the lady was depicted. Grade 10 student Elissa Burns submitted her participated acrylic painting named “Adolescent Journey”. The painting’s choice of colours (black, orange, and yellow) echoed the depression, chaos, and sometime struggles of a growing teenager. Elissa’s piece was inspired by the perceived negative impact of technology on her generation and their daily lives. All the changes adolescents go through was reflected in her artwork.

IN Exhibition was an excellent opportunity for arts students to showcase their own personal artwork in a public realm, while also being exposed to the creative minds and works of their Singapore international school peers. We are looking forward to this becoming an annual event, and its impetus in fueling creative thinking.