Finding Identity through Art

Wednesday, 25 January 2012 05:57

  Adapting to the American way of life was a challenging task at first for Yumi Shirai, a native of Tokyo, Japan. At the age of 24, she decided to leave her home in Japan and attend the University of Arizona Masters Program declaring, “dance movement therapy” as her primary focus. She found “opportunity in America,” one she describes as “unique,” a quality Japan could not provide.

 

“There is a lack of the creative mind in Japan,” she said, which created the base for her greatest culture shock- “the way you present yourself.” Growing up in Japan, one is taught structure and formality, however, Yumi found the opposite idea to be true in the United States. That’s what America is about, she said, “diversity.” From a young age children are encouraged to be unique. “American culture is much easier to fit into” for that reason, she said.

Upon her arrival to the states, Yumi admits she felt more comfortable around “older folks,” because they were more willing to try and understand her. “Hearing [her] accent didn’t throw them off,” she said and there was a clear “disadvantage with the language barrier.”

About a year into her studies at the University of Arizona, Yumi started as a student worker at an art studio for disabled adults, Artworks. Although a language barrier was still existent within her new workplace, she was able to create another form of communication among the students. She “used movement as a communication tool” and “moving with them opened up a relationship much faster,” she said.

As she began to build relationships with the different students of Artworks, Yumi started to understand and appreciate the American culture in a way she never thought possible. She found an identity and a sense of individuality. That’s what is “beautiful about the disability culture,” she said, “they reflect on who you are, they’re a fair judge and emphasize your challenges.” At times, she admits they don’t always say what you want to hear because they “don’t have the same boundaries as the general population,” but “they are so honest, they’re not going to hide, they will say what they feel,” she said.

Now, 13 years later, Yumi is the director of Artworks. She is now helping the students connect with their own identity and sense of individuality. Many of Artwork’s students are not able to verbally express their feelings, so “it is important for them to find an expressive tool,” she said.

With around 20 students, Artworks provides many different ways for them to grasp their creative mind and communicate their feelings. This past year, Artworks held its first annual “Talent Show” in the dance building of the University of Arizona. The students rigorously worked for months in preparation. Different acts included tap dancing, singing, a piano performance, joke telling and a group dance. The room overflowed with powerful emotion as each student performed in elation.

In October, Artworks holds an annual “Art Show” in which each student’s work, made throughout the year, is on display and is for sale to the community. Specific pieces of the student’s work are also put up for auction.

Each student has different interests, however, they encourage one another, and “what they do spreads into each other,” said Yumi. One of Artwork’s students is particularly interested in the heritage and ancestry of others. She is also passionate about her own, incorporating it into her daily art. She has made a globe, beautifully decorated and hand crafted by paper maché. Also displayed in last years “Art Show,” she painted “hats” the size of large coffee cups, resembling the different heritages and hometowns of her peers and Artworks staff. It hangs as an antique chandelier.

By talking to her subjects and working together to research each heritage, this student provides her peers with another personal identity. “They can identify themselves by their background,” said Yumi. "It’s important to find a positive identity [for them].” 

Yumi describes her favorite people to work with as the most challenging students. They may not be able to write words or paint a perfect picture, but “they can engage into you through touch and movement," she said. Many of the students “don’t have awareness to their bodies,” so it is critical for them to be able to have a connection of self. For this reason, Artworks also provides a dance class that is held two times a week.

Daily activities include painting, drawing, crocheting, sewing, ceramics, writing, screen-printing and many other forms of artistic expression. Artworks is an environment that allows its students to communicate in a comfortable and confident way, so each student may have the same opportunity to find what makes them unique.

Written by Chelsey Barthel