英國實習-我的心靈療癒之旅

實習單位：Fearon Community Association 2023.07

前言：7/16~8/18短短五週在Fearon Hall的負責人帶領下，我們三個來自台灣的學生在這場活動中，獲得了前所未有的文化衝擊與心靈療癒，計畫中策展人兼藝術家Jacqui Gallon與Miffy Ryan 博士、Loughborough大學的藝術主任James Chantry與我們三位來自不同領域的台灣實習生一同參與了許多地方創生、藝術探索、大學參訪、地區巡禮等活動，並且在最終將作品呈現出來，此次作品與當地約800年歷史的古老石屋合作，以台灣的400年建成當對照，以此來完成我們的創作。

From July 16 to August 18, 2023, over a brief five-week period at Fearon Hall, we, three students from Taiwan, experienced unprecedented cultural immersion and emotional healing under the guidance of the hall’s coordinator. The project included curators and artists such as Jacqui Gallon and Dr. Miffy Ryan, along with James Chantry, the Art Director at Loughborough University. Together, we engaged in various activities including local revitalization, art exploration, university visits, and regional tours. The culmination of our project was the presentation of our artworks, which were in collaboration with a local ancient stone house boasting an 800-year history. This collaboration served as a poignant contrast to Taiwan’s 400 years of architectural history, bringing our creative vision to fruition.

為何要實習?

這個問題一直存在我的內心很深，是想要出國旅遊?購買當地精品?還是想在這趟獲得意想不到的收穫呢?這次能夠來到英國參訪實習，我很開心能夠獲得學海築夢的補助，讓我在這段文化交流中獲得珍貴的經驗與回憶，實習前對英國的想法是模糊的，不知道當地的性格、文化，唯有淺薄地透過別人的旅行經驗中了解片面，英國對於我來說就像一幅抽象油畫，有個模糊的印象但無法看清全貌。

在大學期間曾有規劃到英國當地讀書，但由於後續的全球疫情與個人因素因此將此計畫延宕，深藏心中，當我就讀成大碩士時，聽到新生座談會中提到有機會前往英國實習，便以此為目標， 陳明惠副教授也鼓勵著台灣的學生前往英國，真正的感受到外國藝術家對藝術的態度與想法，有幸在碩二下前往英國進行實習，因此開啟我對未來藝術展望與職業規劃上的深思。

This question has long lingered deep within me. Is it a desire to travel abroad? To purchase local luxury goods? Or perhaps to gain unexpected insights? I am thrilled to have had the opportunity to intern in the UK, supported by the “MOE Overseas Internship Program,” which provided me with invaluable experiences and memories during this cultural exchange. Initially, my understanding of the UK was vague — shaped only superficially by others’ travel experiences. To me, the UK was like an abstract painting; I had an impression but couldn’t grasp the whole picture.

During my university years, I had planned to study in the UK, but due to the global pandemic and personal reasons, this plan was postponed and kept deep in my heart. It was during a freshman orientation session while I was pursuing my Master’s at National Cheng Kung University, that the opportunity to intern in the UK was mentioned. With this as my goal, Vice Professor Chen Ming-hui encouraged Taiwanese students to venture to the UK to truly experience the attitudes and ideas of foreign artists toward art. Fortunately, in the second half of my Master’s program, I had the chance to intern in the UK, thus sparking profound reflections on my prospects in art and career planning.

1.文化交流衝擊

1.1 思想

英國負責人Jacqui Gallon與Miffy Ryan博士以他們獨特的見解，帶領台灣學生進行藝術交融，第一週便是自然探索與廢棄物的二次創作，為期兩天戶外活動是結合心靈與藝術之間的探索，是我在台灣時都沒有體驗過的藝術形式，以往我接觸的藝術是技巧上的學習，而非自然的心靈啟發。

第一天來到郊外的小房子，Miffy博士請我們拿桌上的自然物進行擺飾，大家用自己的想法擺放、甚至拿起來聞，在這些自然物中我感受來海洋、粗糙的紋理、枝條的延展，第一次覺得以往我沒有注意到的乾枝被隨意的擺放是如此的漂亮，之後Jacqui跟Miffy帶著我們前往山林，隨處的摘取喜歡的植物、石頭、花朵甚至垃圾都可以，一路上沒有任何的目的，好像一場隨處走走的旅程，想要停下就停下，沒有人會要求，最後我們停在一處風景之間，我們看著遠方，聞著森林的味道，這一刻，我才發現我被都市給禁錮了，在英國藝術的形式是自由的，沒有被侷限的，沒有主流趨勢，只有對自我的藝術要求與真正內心渴望展現的樣貌，可以是舞動姿體；也可以是平面創作；更可以是意識流的抽象概念，所有可能揭示自我，即是藝術。

In the UK, under the unique guidance of Jacqui Gallon and Dr. Miffy Ryan, Taiwanese students were led into an artistic fusion that was new and inspiring, especially during the first week with our focus on nature exploration and upcycling waste materials. This two-day outdoor activity was a combination of exploring the spirit and art, a form of artistry I had never experienced while in Taiwan. Previously, my exposure to art was about learning techniques rather than natural, spiritual inspiration.

On the first day, we arrived at a small house in the countryside. Dr. Miffy asked us to decorate with natural items found on a table. Everyone arranged them based on their ideas, even picking them up to smell. Among these natural objects, I felt the ocean, the rough textures, the extension of branches. For the first time, I realized how beautiful a casually placed dry branch could be, something I had never noticed before. Later, Jacqui and Miffy took us to the mountains and forests where we were free to pick any plant, stone, flower, or even garbage that we liked. There was no specific purpose; it felt like a journey where we could stop whenever we wanted without any demands. Eventually, we paused in a scenic spot, looked at the distance, and inhaled the forest scent. At that moment, I realized how confined I had been by the city. In the UK, the form of art is free, unrestricted, devoid of mainstream trends, focusing solely on personal artistic standards and the true desires of one’s heart. It could manifest as a dance movement; it could be a flat creation; it could even be a stream of consciousness in abstract concepts. Any possibility that reveals oneself is art.

Fearon Hall在我們實習期間，帶領我們參加許多社區工作坊，與當地長輩、藝術家、新移民家庭一起「創作」，為甚麼我說創作而不是我們帶領教學呢?在英國我們有準備一場書法春聯課(圖下)，參加不乏有些行動不變的長者或者ㄧ般民眾，他們雖然不是藝術家，但卻很願意嘗試甚至做出畫面的改變，如果以我曾經在台灣長照中心的經驗來說，這樣的情形是很難在台灣單位出現，在英國社區服務上的觀念就是以陪伴者的腳色去讓大眾參與，這樣的文化思想衝擊，讓我更加了解台灣所面臨的問題與要改善的部分，也讓我更了解到自己的不足之處，如何調整態度，更會使我思考藝術在台灣社會的價值是想要達到什麼樣的目的?

During our internship at Fearon Hall, we were involved in numerous community workshops where we created art alongside local elders, artists, and immigrant families. I use the term “create” rather than “teach” because our role extended beyond mere instruction. In the UK, we organized a workshop on calligraphy and Spring Festival couplets, which was attended by seniors with limited mobility and the general public. Although they were not artists, they were eager to try and even make modifications to their work.

This willingness to engage creatively is a stark contrast to my previous experiences in long-term care centers in Taiwan, where such active participation is rare. The concept of community service in the UK is centered around being companions rather than leaders, facilitating involvement from all community members. This cultural mindset was a significant revelation for me. It highlighted the issues and areas for improvement in Taiwan, also underscoring my shortcomings and how I might adjust my attitude.

This experience has led me to reflect on the value of art in Taiwanese society and what we aim to achieve with it. How can art not only fulfill aesthetic or recreational needs but also play a pivotal role in community engagement and social improvement? This reflection has deepened my understanding of the broader implications of cultural engagement through art.

1.2 旅行見聞

第一天抵達拉夫堡城鎮，對英國當地的居家花園大為震撼，每個家庭只要有空地，就會種滿花朵，這些花充滿生命力恣意的生長，但是卻不會覺得凌亂，在假日或者下班時間，都會看到當地人細心的整理花園，英國人看似活的很慢，但卻是透過這些活動，從心對環境進行連結，給自己放鬆的空間與時間，身為都市生活的我，是很少透過這樣與自人接觸的方式，療育自己的心靈。

Upon arriving in the town of Loughborough on the first day, I was profoundly impressed by the local residential gardens in the UK. Each household with available space seemed to cultivate a garden brimming with flowers, which grew vigorously yet never appeared unkempt. During weekends or after work hours, it was common to see locals meticulously tending to their gardens. The British seem to live at a slower pace, but it is through these activities that they connect with the environment, providing themselves with space and time to relax. As someone accustomed to urban life, I rarely engage in such direct interactions with nature to nurture my own spirit.

陳明惠副教授帶領我們與諾丁漢美術館的策展人兼藝術家 李鳳如相見歡，在精采的展館解說中，其中一件作品的概念是藝術家想像一個長頸鹿變成標本的過程，展間中藝術家緩緩訴說長頸鹿的故事，紅色的線與大面積的骨頭抱枕，佈滿整個展間，觀眾可以踩進去進近距離的互動，躺下後觀看天花板，像是將自己與長頸鹿融合，我們好像成為了長頸鹿，這樣的體驗互動，是很少在台灣感受到的。結束導覽後，李鳳如藝術家與我們暢聊，其中也不乏提到女性工作者、海外藝術家、文化衝突等議題，台灣能夠踏出國際，這些海外的工作者們，用他們的血肉身軀替我們打開前面的大門，這場深度的交流，也讓我對台灣藝廊有更深的感觸與想法，或許我們在藝術上的創作太過保守了。

Professor Ming Turner led us to meet with the curator and artist Feng-Ru Lee at the Nottingham Art Museum. During the compelling guided tour, one of the artworks conceptually depicted the transformation of a giraffe into a specimen. In the exhibition room, the artist slowly narrated the giraffe’s story, with red threads and large bone-shaped pillows filling the space. Visitors could step inside for a close-up interaction, lying down to look at the ceiling as if merging with the giraffe, virtually becoming the animal themselves. This type of immersive interaction is rarely experienced in Taiwan.

After the tour, artist Feng-Ru Lee engaged in a deep conversation with us, touching on issues like female workers, overseas artists, and cultural clashes. The ability of Taiwan to step onto the international stage is significantly enabled by these overseas workers who, with their efforts, have opened doors for us. This profound exchange also deepened my understanding and thoughts about Taiwan’s art galleries. Perhaps, our approach to artistic creation has been too conservative.

這段旅程，特別感謝陳教授的帶領，比起學習，更像一場心靈療癒之旅，透過文化的衝擊與碰撞，更理解自己的想法與創作的目標。

撰寫者：Winona Chang 來自台南的小女生，碩士期間就讀科技藝術，為求新求變，努力透過多方學習，來理解不同領域的世界。