Our 9th grader Kiera shared with us her incredible passion for creating art, specifically 3D paper models – a unique blend of creativity and education that has inspired others and shed light on various topics, such as her recent project on neurodiversity.
Hi Kiera, could you introduce yourself, how long you have been in GESS, and what are some of the things you enjoy doing in and out of school?
Hi, I’m Kiera and I have been at GESS for 2 years. In school, I enjoy the art electives and design technology – they allow me to cultivate my imagination and creativity. My hobbies include street jazz, hip hop, and reading. Though perhaps my favourite activity is creating art, whether 2D or 3D, paired with classical music and a cup of sencha green tea while I am getting creative.
What sparked your interest in creating art, particularly paper models, and how has this hobby evolved over time? Could you share some of your most memorable projects?
There are feelings that cannot be expressed by words, however made possible by creating art. Art has always been a part of my life – when I was young, I’d draw on anything, even my homework!
I started to explore paper models and 3D art when my friends and I used leftover paper boxes to create airports, houses, metro stations and even aircraft carriers that have catapults – attack!
Over time, my projects became more meaningful, like creating a pop-up card for our former principal, a Mast Cell model for science, and an expression project about Neurodiversity. I’ve also enjoyed fun projects, like Pac-man and a camera!
Recently, we got to know about your personal project on neurodiversity through your teacher Ms. Amorim. That looks like a big and complex topic! Could you tell us what inspired this project, what you have created and what do you hope to achieve from this?
My Neurodiversity project aims to showcase our world’s diverse minds. When I was struggling to decide on what to do next, my teacher Ms. Amorim approached me with the idea. Sometimes people who are neurodivergent get misunderstood, often because people don’t recognise their amazing abilities! This particular brain paper model displays 5 types of neurodivergent “compartments”, with art explaining their talents. I wanted to convey the message that the world needs all kinds of brains – by modifying the compartments in my model, they can be arranged to form a heart.
We know these projects are not a result of schoolwork. How do you feel GESS and your teacher have helped and supported you in your personal pursuits?
GESS unquestionably has supported my passion, but I would like to express further gratitude to Ms. Amorim. Ms. Amorim used to be my homeroom teacher when I first came to school, she saw my passion in arts, and has since not stopped offering me opportunities and encouragement.
What makes Ms. Amorim truly special is her approach — she doesn’t just give you answers, she guides you to discover them yourself. And it is through her encouragement that I’ve come to understand what I truly want to do – creating with purpose and without boundaries.
Where or how do you share your lovely projects, and how do you think they can help others connect with your ideas?
I’d love it if my works can be showcased in exhibitions or galleries! Displayed artworks not only show their physical form, they leave room for various interpretations, feelings and thoughts by people who view them. Art is without limit, from creation to judgement, and there is no right or wrong message. It’s why I love it so much – I hope to connect with other artists too!
What’s next for you? Any plans or ideas in mind to further build your love for art and paper models?
Shh! This question is the forbidden question! Just kidding, it’s just that I’d like to keep everything a surprise. Though I’ll give you a sneak peek to one – a particular spacecraft currently orbiting Jupiter since 2016. It has caught my interest, and I have been obsessed with it ever since. Juno spacecraft it is, I look forward to recreating it in paper myself!
