“My Way” was Cuomo Foundation’s a first painting competition in India. It was held in July 2014 and was open to all the pupils, scholarship students and teachers attending schools in K.G. Kandigai, Kovalam and Sendivakkam supported by the Cuomo Foundation.
This speech was relayed via Video-Link during the prize-giving ceremony of the Painting Competition, held at Santhome Higher Sec. School, Chennai.
“Your Grace,
Your Excellency,
Dear Members of the Jury,
Dear Priests, Teachers and Students,
Ladies and Gentlemen,
And Dear Charles, Good afternoon.
I wish, first of all, to thank you for your interest in this new and promising event that we called. “My Way “.
Arts reflects Education but more importantly Civilization. Each Society, from as far as we know in mankind, has expressed its history, its feelings, its fears, its way of life, its traditions, through pictures, paintings, drawings, etc.
It all started with rock painting by cave men wherever, in Egypt, in Europe or elsewhere. Whether in the caves, or on clay pottery, bronze or stone, they witness lifestyle. They have an immense value not only historical but artistically. And each one is a milestone for any Society.
Any form of drawing or painting or carving, shows the trends and evolution of mankind. For centuries they represented reality but progressively allowed the artists to express their fantasies and then came abstraction.
Men did not only show what they saw, but gave the twist of their imagination, of their dreams, and famous paintings nowadays might even reflect only a concept and no longer what we see or imagine.
I cannot think that as we have now initiated this cultural process, that we would not pursue. Obviously, drawings and paintings require some techniques which can be taught. But also, as I alluded to, previously, some knowledge , of our history which does no longer , in an open world such as the one we live in, belong to one Country or one civilization , but is part of the huge patchwork of human beings from their origin up to now.
“My Way” opens widely the door of an unknown world to our students. We have to give them access to this knowledge, enhance their artistic capacities through lessons, Internet and exhibits. Some may be more gifted than others, but this should not prevent anyone to try at least.
The best will be awarded prices, but those who will complete a drawing will have achieved something unique which should allow them to know themselves better and become better humans.
Art is also part of Education and thus the Foundation will support other contests with your help and support.
I could not travel and be with you today, but be sure that my Heart is with you and that is “MY WAY” of expressing how important it is to me.
Thank you and see you soon!”
Maria Elena Cuomo
July 26th, 2014
