Spotlight On YAFies: Daphanie Wong

Daphanie Wong
Multidisciplinary Artist

What led you to work with students with special educational needs (SEN)?
It happened by chance. After I graduated, I was working freelance. A former colleague was working at a non-profit organisation where they needed a multimedia art instructor to teach people with intellectual disabilities. It seemed like a great opportunity for a stable part-time job so I went for an interview. During the interview, the department head showed a lot of trust in me. After asking a few questions about my background, they showed me the assignments of the students I would be teaching, introducing their personalities and work. It touched me that they cared so much about the students, so I joined them as an art instructor.
 
Share an unforgettable experience of collaborating with SEN students.
Photography is an art that is easy to learn but difficult to master. Good results can come from random photos taken with a phone or involve multiple individuals playing different roles. When I first started teaching several years ago, I focused on photography techniques because that’s how I learned and I felt it would be straightforward for SEN students to follow. The results weren’t bad, but you could only see my style in the photos because I taught them how to execute my ideas instead of encouraging them to think and create. I realised I needed to incorporate more creative thinking into my teaching.

At that time, I also worked at a psychology education institution, where they emphasised that SEN students learn better through sensory experience. It inspired me to try something new. For example, in a lesson about shutter speed, I played music and invited students to hold the lights and move to their own rhythm. Then, I asked another group of students to capture the movements with a slow shutter speed. The process enabled students to express themselves through body movements. I instantly felt the power of art and the body as a communication medium. The final product was shot in an activity room with limited space but it didn’t stop the students from creating different lines and expressions with their bodies. The most beautiful part was that the whole class made a piece together, creating a sense of connection.

Figure 2  Figure 3

Photographers: Wan Lai-yee, Chu Tzs-chun, Lam Man-lok, Ng Chak-hei, Yeung Man-ching, Chan Shing-tin, Tsang Christopher, So Ka-wai, Yamat, Lyron Paul D., Li Chun-yin
Tutor: Daphanie

How has collaborating with SEN students changed you?
Some believe that teachers transform students. For me, it’s actually a give and take. I witnessed how students connected with art and grew through it, which encouraged me to improve. I recognised there were many shortcomings in my teaching because my educational background was purely artistic. For that reason, I pursued a second bachelor’s degree in psychology and will take a master’s degree in art therapy focusing on dance therapy in Australia next year. I hope to dedicate more time to working in this area after graduation.
 
What surprised you most during your collaboration with the participants taking part in the Spark! Art Empowerment Programme?
The most unexpected thing was bumping into one of my photography students. I met this student at an artist-in-residence programme. He excelled in class and quickly developed his own style. In the Spark! workshops, I led the dance activities and saw a more lively side of him. We were surprised to see each other in a totally different situation and in different roles.

Another interesting aspect was the diverse age range of the participants. It was a big challenge to strike a balance so that the primary school students didn’t feel overwhelmed and the secondary school students didn’t feel bored. So I designed a variety of activity levels in the class to cater to each participant’s learning abilities.
 
How do you think art connects with differently-abled people?
Art is a barrier-free medium of communication. Sometimes it involves intense practices and self criticism, while other times, it can be mindful. Without using words, art can stimulate different interpretations and responses. For example, in previous Danceability workshops, participants observed other dancers' movements and responded in their own style and pace to create the improvisation. I realised that we are all the same human beings, just with different lifestyles.
 
You are active in multiple art fields, which do you like most?
I mainly work in makeup, photography and dance. Dance is my favourite because through dancing, I can express myself directly anytime, anywhere. There were times when I was so busy with my makeup and photography jobs I had to put dancing on hold for a while. But I felt reluctant to stop because dance has gotten me through times when I felt upset. I’ve had an on-and-off relationship with dance for more than ten years.
 
Where does your inspiration come from? What do you do when you lack inspiration?
Recently, I’ve found reading academic research and books really inspiring. I’d like to share two works in particular: one was inspired by contemplative photography, and the other by an academic article. To create the first photo (refer to figure 4), I observed various photos, then reflected the feelings I had in the way that I posed the model. The second photo (refer to figure 5) was an improvised collaboration with another art therapist after a discussion about an article. Working together added interesting layers of meaning to the work.

If I lack inspiration, I stop and work on something else – unless I have a project deadline to meet. Inspiration can’t be forced.

​Figure 4  Figure 5

Credit:
Figure 4
In frame: @imsojellyyyy
Headpiece: @home_sweet_florist
Venue: @theaisle.work
Body paint/ Makeup and Hair/ Photographer: @daphanie.thetiny 

Figure 5
In frame/ paper art: Rachel @exahk @paperart_rac
Photographer/ Body paint/ Makeup artist: Daphanie @daphanie.thetiny

What suggestions do you have for young people with disabilities who are passionate about art?
Take it slow. The pace of life in Hong Kong is very fast, but art requires patience and dedication. I’m still learning too!
 
Who are your favourite artists?
My favourite artists are Mark Lee Ping-bing and Noboru Shinoda. Mark Lee is a renowned Taiwanese photographer and cinematographer, known as the poet of light and shadow. Noboru Shinoda was a Japanese cinematographer who worked with director Shunji Iwai. It’s difficult to choose between the two because they each have their own unique styles. A common characteristic of their work is their authentic use of natural light and camera movements. When I was studying film, we were often reminded not to let techniques dominate the script, as cinematography should serve the script. I always wanted to stand out when I was young by using as many skills as possible and creating mismatched visual effects. But often, simplicity is what makes viewers feel comfortable. Of course, glamorous design has its beauty as well. Balancing the two requires long-term practice – I’m working on it!