Organised by the GIS Art Department, our Year 9 students enjoyed an online workshop, entitled ‘Creative Career Professional,’ where six of our Alumni, all of whom have pursued careers in the creative industries, generously gave up their time to share their career tips, experiences of working life, and general life lessons.
Ev Abbott, Head of Art said:
“Malaysia has a thriving creative economy and it was brilliant to have the opportunity to give our Year 9s a window into the possibilities for pursuing a creative career. Our alumni had great advice for our students about the skills needed to succeed and the importance of being able to develop and communicate your ideas.”
Mr Philippe Delmotte, Teacher of Art said:
“The Y9 students found it fascinating to hear what our talented and creative alumni have been doing since leaving GIS. It was really inspiring to learn from the alumni’s real-world experiences of working in the creative industries and how the critical and conceptual thinking skills they started developing in the art classrooms are so beneficial to them in their adult lives. On a personal note, I was very proud to reconnect with students that I had the pleasure of teaching and wholeheartedly wish them continued success in the future.”
Here are some of the words of wisdom shared during the session:
Alumna Lisa Wong, Class of 2011 – Independent Artist (Malaysia)
“I was pleased to see the Year 9 students come up with an excess of intelligent and thought-out questions about pursuing a creative career. I think it’s a wonderful opportunity for artists, students, and teachers alike to be able to come together to discuss creativity as a career path. My hope for the GIS arts department is that there will be many more brilliant collaborations with the local artists, art residencies, and galleries”.
Alumna Khadijah Mirzan, Class of 2014 – Gallery Executive at Ilham Gallery
“I left for England (IGCSEs) and then the US (6th form and university) for the rest of my academic career (so far). I graduated from Carrabassett Valley Academy, a ski school in Maine in 2014, and graduated from Dartmouth College in New Hampshire in 2019. I then started working at ILHAM in March of 2020”. Khadijah took part in a Zoom interview video and shared her journey after GIS, as well as talking about her career at Ilham Gallery with our Y9 students.
Alumna Yasoja Ratital, Class of 2016 – Graphic Communications Designer & Illustrator Graduated from Central Saint Martins, University of the Arts London
“My key takeaway from speaking to these students is that wonderful feeling that I have hopefully inspired them and provides them with some new insight into the vast creative world. The design scene is constantly changing and any young aspiring designer should feel comfortable with projecting their ideas – by talking to them I hope to have demonstrated that. A creative process will also constantly evolve as they develop professionally. By showing my work I hope I have highlighted just one out of numerous creative avenues they can work towards”.
Alumni Tommy Mansur, Class of 1984 – Artist, Production and Costume Designer
“Garden International School today is a different establishment compared to the one I attended in the 80s. It has gone from strength to strength, resulting in what we have today. Very little emphasis and encouragement went towards the Arts and creative activities like music and drama when I attended this school, but now, after decades of being away, I find myself teaching and sharing what I love back to my old school. It’s a full circle for me, and seeing myself four decades back being able to learn the subjects they love is just so personally fulfilling for me”.
Alumni Simon Mo, Class of 2007 – Fashion Designer at SIMON MO
Nikita Dowlani, Class of 2010 – Fashion Entrepreneur
A huge ‘Thank You’ to these inspiring Alumni who generously shared their time and experiences with our Year 9 students virtually, despite their busy daily schedules. If you are interested in sharing your journey post-GIS, then please get in touch with us at alumni@gardenschool.edu.my.
We are always updating our page with news from the Alumni community across the continents and would love to hear from you and share your stories. Please get in touch via Facebook, LinkedIn or simply send an email to alumni@gardenschool.edu.my
We can’t wait to hear from you!