Who is Poesy Liang? Well, I was lucky enough to have met her in person but perhaps you might be able to find out a little bit more about her here, at poesyliang.com :)
By the way, I think she's gorgeous with or without hair and I absolutely love her Bald Empathy Campaign ♥
Poesy is a multi dimensional and talented individual. Perhaps what one should ask her is ~ " Is there anything that you can't do, Poesy? "
I'm astounded by how creative she is.. from her paintings to her jewellery designs, from singing to playing musical instruments and how much she enjoys swimming long distance but most of all, I salute her for her tenacity in life.
We met about a year ago when we were featured together with several other guests on NTV7 for a segment on Bella TV titled - Rising from the Ashes. I have admired her ever since!
I spoke to her recently and asked her if she had anything nice to say about someone or something for the SSNC and immediately she recalled the story of a taxi driver that she had encountered in September of 2010.
One evening, she took a taxi and accidentally left her brand new BlackBerry in the car when she got to her destination. It was a special gift from her then new boyfriend, meant to keep them connected at all times. Poesy only realized that her mobile phone was missing 1.5 hrs later, and she was devastated! As she had left it on a silent mode, she knew that the chances of the driver noticing her phone if she called were slim as it was already dark at 10pm and it would have likely be out of his sight in the backseat of the taxi. Also she had alighted at a junction near her art studio instead of at her doorstep, even if the taxi driver were to come back looking for her, all odds were against her. However, she was determined to call her phone nonstop while it still rang. 40 minutes into her efforts she suddenly heard a distant blaring of a car horn. She instantly rushed out of her art studio and could not believe her eyes. There he was, the taxi driver at the junction honking his taxi, standing outside his car and looking anxiously in every direction. He is an elderly Muslim man who was dressed humbly. She rushed out gratefully and they greeted each other so happily, like old friends. She thanked him for his kindness and tried to tip him although he refused it, but she insisted that he accepts the token of appreciation for the distance he had to travel to do a good deed. He even apologized for taking so long to come back to her and told his story. After dropping her off, he picked up another passenger. Not long into the journey, he noticed that this new passenger was holding and staring at a white phone that was flashing with constant incoming calls. The taxi driver suddenly recalled seeing Poesy using the same phone when she was sitting in his taxi earlier! He followed his instincts and queried the passenger if the phone belonged to him and in the end, he retrieved the Blackberry for safekeeping. The taxi driver then made a trip back into the city towards Poesy's art studio which was 40 minutes drive away, to return the phone. He was glad that his effort wasn't in vain when she heard his taxi horning and came outside to check. Till today, the memory of this lucky little miracle still puts a smile on her face. :)
She believes that one good turn deserves another although she agrees that it is a vicious world out there, that bad things do happen to good people. The difference is, the choices we make in life, how we make them and the fact that when you do good and are good, even the bad will try harder to be good with you. She suggests for everyone to give back to society. By contributing wisely, we will attract good people along the way due to the energy we create around us. Like minded souls will stumble into our paths when we are activated by goodness! Most importantly, we must have stubborn faith in humanity.
What I'd like to share with all of you today, is her current Helping Angels project which she has been incubating since May this year. Poesy's very passionate about the ChowKids Art Angels with refugees children ages between 7-11, mostly from Myanmar.
Her mission is to pick out the artistic kids, hone their creative skills and create opportunities for them to sustain a living from this young age into adulthood. She hopes to help by teaching them make art that can be sold, such as greeting cards, paper mache handicrafts and other upcycling projects. Most of these underprivileged children are stateless and have no paperwork to be part of the employment system when they grow up. They live in harsh realities where their own parents has trouble providing for the young, while some of them are sex workers by trade. This program is also for the prevention of the children taking illegitimate ways to survive. With this simple project, Poesy creates the opportunity for them at this early age to earn a few ringgits to contribute to the family. Tapping into their abilities and steering each child to create, that's her goal. These children are lucky to have her as a mentor. It is not everyday that someone as gifted as her is willing to share their time, effort and expertise with others.
Their main aim currently is to produce pop-up Diwali cards, that costs RM20 per pack of 6 pop-up greeting cards They'll get to earn RM 2 per card, while the balance 30 % is for them to buy materials. Not only does this encourage and motivate the young refugees to become more serious with their artistic skills, it is also a platform for them to showcase and launch the young artist with the most potential. It is definitely a useful survival skill, as it was for Poesy when she ran out of money in Europe March 2011 during her Bald Empathy Movement tour with 2 months more to go. She painted small canvases by the streets of Paris and sold her work online to kind supporters from all over the world. With selling her art at £20-50 per mini canvas, she managed to fund the movement all the way to Cannes in May 2011 and she returned safely home to Malaysia months after that she started her venture as a street artist.
Currently, for the cards, they are targeting corporate sponsorships. Proceeds are meant to benefit the young artists family. As a child, I can imagine how one would feel important and appreciated for being able to contribute to the family fund.
Poesy says that some of them are really gifted, while others are pretty sloppy but overall, coming to class, being able to attend is an achievement in itself as only the well behaved ones will get a chance to do so. This keeps them on their toes and when they see and get results, they can't wait to come back for more. Interesting theory.
* Pictures are all courtesy of Poesy Liang :)
If you are interested to join her volunteer group on Facebook, here is the link to all news, updates and program invitations. https://www.facebook.com/groups/helpingangels/
Yayasan Chow Kit Art of Helping Angels
This is a Tuesday afternoon event :
At the moment, we are in the midst of producing Diwali pop art cards for sale. You can place your orders. 6 hand drawn cards are sold for RM20. Proceeds go directly to the young contributors.
The objective of this program is to equip the artistically inclined children from the underprivileged environment with an extra skill that can assist them in their future survival.
We are looking for volunteers who enjoys children, is enthusiastic and committed. Artists looking to give back to society on a weekly basis will be highly valued.
This is an opportunity for you to give back to society, by giving 2 hours of your time every week.
If you cannot make it every week, we can plan you into our weekly roster on weeks that you can make it. You may RSVP ahead to the events posted up for each Tuesday.
Your participation will make a difference to the children under the care of Yayasan Chow Kit (YCK). We want to help them make art and create opportunities for these children to become artists.
Poesy Liang
Helping Angels Founder
Artist
Yayasan Chow Kit Art of Helping Angels
One of the things that she has observed is that the better students tend to huddle together resulting in their art looking all the same. Surprisingly, the weaker ones end up leading with originality. The work might be simpler but it is never bad. According to her, simple can be good.
I haven't had the chance to visit this place or the children and it's been a long time since I last met Poesy. She wishes to someday meet me on board, hopefully one of these days.. but I rather am looking forward to someday be a part of Poesy's World & witness her in action instead ~~~ Keep up the good work Poesy. You are indeed an inspiration! Thank you for letting me share your story :)
The greeting cards are now ready for sale. You may contact Yayasan Chow Kit for more info :)
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