Chang-Ching “Casper” Su

During my residency with Artists in Public Schools, I explored the concept of objects and their connections to personal narratives and community. The focus of my project, titled “The Day We Are All Included,” centers around the theme of objects seeping out from the slit of a locker at an elementary school. This project delves into the everyday lives of students, capturing the unnoticed and often overlooked details that hold significant meaning.

One of the pivotal elements of this work was the creation of storytelling in collaboration with Ms. Ni’s second graders and Ms. Martinez’s art class at Haines Elementary. This slide incorporated the students’ artwork, allowing them to express their creativity and stories through their illustrations. The project aimed to foster a sense of community and belonging, encouraging students to see the beauty in the small details of their daily lives.

Another aspect of my project was the design of keychains inspired by the seeping straps. These keychains were distributed to the students, symbolizing the connection between art and everyday objects, and serving as a tangible reminder of their participation and contribution to the project.

Throughout the residency, I encountered challenges such as balancing various responsibilities and adapting to different teaching methods. However, these challenges provided valuable learning experiences and ultimately enriched my work.

Artists in Public Schools residency has been a profoundly rewarding experience, allowing me to engage with the community, inspire creativity in young minds, and develop a deeper understanding of the significance of everyday objects in our lives.

 

As an important session of the formation of modern citizens, education has a significant impact on the composition of society. With a high number of immigrants, the United States has a very different approach to building up identity at different levels. Colors of the world, the Crayola product in 2022 intrigued my interest in ethnic identity, which led to a series of research and artworks. For this project, I hope to work with teachers at Chicago public schools to understand and learn more about the development of ethnic identities in the curriculum they designed. I will continue my current project within the school by sharing my experiences of global migration and Asian immigrants; the feedback and sharing from students also gave me an insight into belonging to a particular ethnic group. I will continue my current project within the school by sharing my experiences with them. Through intuitive crayon drawing and photography, I will work with the students to create a discussion on the dilemmas and challenges of overarching self-concept and identification as Asian American.