Art unites when the collective voice of Ghent youth speaks. During a series of workshops, 300 Ghent TAJO youngsters each worked on an individual artwork. In doing so, they were encouraged to explore their thoughts around self-esteem and express their emotions through artistic interpretation to celebrate their own strength and beauty.
In today's society, young people face many challenges, especially when they come from a vulnerable background. TAJO vzw*, announces a unique art project in the framework of ‘Ghent European Youth Capital 2024’, supporting young people to experiment, grow and find their strength.
Art Unites promises to provide a powerful platform for young people to express their voices through art. During a series of creative workshops, supervised by artist Neoza Goffin, 300 Ghent youths will work on an individual work of art. In doing so, young people are encouraged to explore their thoughts around self-esteem and express their emotions through artistic interpretation to celebrate their own strength and beauty. Mixed media are used, with each material symbolising a different aspect of their self-esteem. The project provides a safe space in which young people playfully discover how art can contribute to their self-confidence and well-being.
At the end of the project, all the young people and their parents are invited to S.M.A.K. for a closing ceremony. There, the individual works are joined into one powerful whole, as a visual symbol of collective self-worth. The artwork will be on display at the museum for a fortnight, forming a dialogue with the exhibition Together: Collaborative Art Practices, which focuses on collaborations between artists.
* TAJO or Talent atelier for Youth offers vulnerable young people future prospects by organising do-ateliers in co-creation with passionate experts from the field.
