Berita Harian: Studying art changes perspective, now she is more open to self-expression
By Sharlin Nasyiroh Azmi
Dessa Nur Khair sees art as a space to explore her identity and understand herself more deeply.
Since childhood, Dessa Nur Khair, 21, has been exposed to the world of art and creativity which has become a part of her family’s life.
In fact, her father, who loves to sew and create various handicrafts, is among the individuals who supported her interest in the arts as she grew up.
From learning the basics of sewing to creating her own art projects, Dessa often receives encouragement from her father to explore her own ideas and skills.
That interest then led her to the Institute of Technical Education (ITE), where she studied fashion before continuing her studies in fine arts at LASALLE College of the Arts (LASALLE).
According to Dessa, the three years studying at LASALLE has greatly changed her views on art and herself.
“When I started at LASALLE, it never crossed my mind that I could become an art practitioner.
“Initially, it was just reviving a hobby that I couldn’t pursue in primary and secondary school because it wasn’t something I thought I could achieve,” she said, when interviewed by Berita Harian (BH).
Dessa was among 355 graduates who have completed their Diploma at LASALLE, and she was honoured at a convocation ceremony on 14 August attended by her parents, Mr Khair Suhaimi, 54, and Ms Iriana Ishak, 54.
Speaking further, she shared that the creative environment at LASALLE gave her the space to get to know herself more deeply and establish her own voice and identity as a creator.
“After graduating from LASALLE, I feel like I have changed and become a different person,
“Studying art academically has really changed my perspective on many things, including what it means to be an art practitioner and how I convey the things that are important to me through my work,” she said.
According to Dessa, she also learnt to be more open and courageous in expressing her emotions through art.
“Being part of this creative environment for three years gave me the space to be more open and express my feelings more honestly,” she added.
The themes of identity and self-understanding are now at the core of Dessa’s work.
She often uses personal experiences as a source of inspiration, while examining how experiences and emotions shape her.
Painting and portraiture also remain a medium which is close to her.
Additionally, she enjoys studying her own facial expressions through photographs and sketches, as a way to better understand herself.
Her interest in portraiture also influenced her final year project, which combines photography and performance to explore human experiences which are not easily seen or expressed.
For Dessa, producing the work was a relief because she was able to express things that are difficult to convey with just words.
Now, after completing her Diploma in Fine Arts, Dessa will continue her studies at LASALLE.
She hopes to continue exploring various forms of art but wants to return to the paintings and portraits which have been her passion since the beginning.
“I really want to return to the black and white drawings on paper,” she said.
As a young artist, Dessa hopes that her work can encourage others to appreciate their own personal stories and experiences.
“We don’t have to follow a certain mold to be an artist or to be ourselves. The truth about ourselves is enough,” she added.
For her, if her work can make someone feel seen, understood or less alone, that is enough to make her artistic journey meaningful.
Source: Berita Harian © SPH Media Limited. Permission required for reproduction. Access the original story here.
Image: Berita Harian ©SPH Media Limited
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