What Art Education Can Learn from the concept of Yin and Yang

Language and art have both served as tools for communication. As human society advanced, language became a type of art—as in "the art of communication." Yet, in some schools and the majority of community art centres, art has been reduced to little more than skill, losing much of its communicative power. Children are taught the same set of skills and knowledge and are instructed to produce the same or very similar output.

Art should really be a heartfelt expression of who we are, not just a showcase of skills. As a parent, you wouldn't send your child to a poetry class where the teacher only asks the kids to use prescribed words in a fixed structure. Similarly, you should raise your brows when your child brings home an artwork that is basically a copy of another person's ideas.

Verbal expression is usually guided by logic—an explicit, structured form of communication. Artistic expression, on the other hand, relies on intuition and operates at a more implicit, instinctive level. Art grants us a clearer glimpse into what our subconscious truly wants. When children engage with art intuitively, they open a channel to their deepest expression about life. This connection is vital for helping them navigate life's difficulties.

WH, 6 year old, house.

The above picture is a drawing made by a 6-year old, who described the picture as "house". When being asked why the ladder on the groudn floor was broken, the boy said, becasue the owner of the house doesn't want people to go upstiars.

The two appraoches in art education can be explained in the philosophy of Taosim. In Taosim, each living thing follows its own natural rhythm and melody. Humans are no exception. Logic corresponds to the "yang," while intuition corresponds to the "yin." Mainstream culture often prioritizes logic, seeing it as more refined. tends Intuition, on the other hand, is less appreciated. The same tilt is evident in the popularity of Cognitive Behavioural Therapy (CBT) and marginised art therpy.

Yet balance, or the interplay of yin and yang, is the crux of Tao. Pursuing so-called “elite education” might make sense on paper, but not everyone finds genuine fulfillment in becoming the best of the best according to society's definition of success. Great education, in my view, is about discovering each person's passion, strengths, and calling, and then unleashing their unique creativity into the world.

Art education has the potential to support this process by helping children explore their interests and develop creativity. It encourages them to be more honest with themselves and frees them from the weight of external expectations. This is one of the reasons I chose to study art therapy. My hope is to merge art therapy principles with art education, making art part of a child’s life journey rather than just another subject in the timetable.

Ultimately, I wish for everyone—children and adults alike—to use art as a way of finding balance in their lives. Through genuine, heartfelt artistic expression, we can all shine a light on our true selves, allowing our individuality to blossom and bringing us closer to living in harmony with our own natural rhythm.