On November 17, 2019, HMS art instructor Eiko Fan, and alum Devon Slivka were featured in a documentary shown at the Philadelphia Asian American Film Festival. The film illustrates how Devon, a wheelchair user, creates beautiful works of arts by brushing the tips of his fingers against the canvas.
“At HMS, students don’t paint in the conventional way, but often, we do better than people who have full use of their bodies,” says Eiko. “Many students can’t talk in the conventional way, but talk using paint. They express so much using art.”
After viewing Devon’s film, audience members attended Devon’s art demonstration, and attendees wore baseball hats affixed with a headstick to try painting without holding a brush. Eiko and her son led the paint activity by playing ukuleles to increase motivation, as is frequently done at HMS.
Eiko’s films promote understanding and an appreciation for the uniqueness of humankind, and she is very proud to showcase her students’ work. This was seventh year that her art program has been accepted as the subject of a film at Philadelphia Asian American Film Festival.
If you are interested in viewing Devon’s film, contact Eiko at Eikofan1@yahoo.com.