Garden of beauty: reflections

During the Singapore Night Festival in August 2023, the 'Garden of Beauty' was executed by Talya Jane Shelley, the founder of Mind in the Mountains, in collaboration with the Cathedral of the Good Shepherd.

This enchanting exhibition space welcomed approximately 3,800 visitors. Here, they were encouraged to explore and contemplate the themes of 'Beauty and Goodness,' engage in crafting their very own paper flowers to be planted in the gardens of virtues, and witness an evolving live drawing over the course of 2 weeks. The environment was in a constant state of evolution, mirroring the act of creation itself, offering visitors an opportunity to immerse themselves in the ongoing process.

The success of this exhibition was made possible by the dedication of about 40 volunteers, including a preparation team responsible for getting materials and flowers ready, creative helpers who guided visitors in making their own flowers during the exhibition, ushers who warmly welcomed visitors, and the setup team that ensured everything was in order each day.

Following the event, several visitors and volunteers graciously shared their reflections on their experiences:

Photography by @sam_captures_

“Finding out how the paper flowers in the Garden of Beauty were handmade by non-professional artists made them even more beautiful, and expresses how beauty can come from what appears as ordinary”

- Nicholas Lye

Photography by @sam_captures_

“I had a group of friends come to try cutting flowers…

They all followed the steps, and opened up the paper to look at the shape they made for the petals…

Each was different, and all three were disappointed…’aiyoh, mine so ugly’ - it wasn’t what they’d hoped for!

I told them to wait, it would be beautiful!

They continued to make it, a bit disheartened.

But, after I showed them to stretch the petals, gently give it a bit of care their faces suddenly lit up…their flowers were beautiful!

Made me realize it’s just like our lives. We have a picture in our minds of what we want, some people seem to have everything go right, so easy, but we often feel our own dreams are dashed or hit road blocks. But if we trust and continue God is fair, he has a plan for us, and we will blossom too, in His time.”

- Lisa, Volunteer

Photography by @w4nderings

‘My first impression of the event was how fascinating the paper flowers were. I did not expect paper flowers to turn into such beautiful flowers! I loved the varieties of flower petals and stems, and the fact that no one flower is the same shows how much effort and creativity each person had! I adored the variations of different colours too. It is enjoyable to see how you and others assembled the flowers together.

Another part that surprised me was the “clouds” of virtue (these refer to Gardens each representing and explaining virtues based on the ‘fruits of the holy spirit’)! They looked so dreamy and very beautiful with the flowers on them.

One of the virtues that I had a strong impression of was “Patience”. As someone who is not a Catholic, I don’t have the knowledge or experience regarding the “fruits of the Holy Spirit”. But the meaning of patience here inspires me - I didn’t see it as “sacrifice” beforehand and this is very interesting to me. I hope that other people will gain new inspiration like I did, whether they are catholic or not!

I really liked how co-creation is encouraged in the exhibition. By letting people make their own flowers and plant in the clouds of virtue, I believe this activity enhances their whole experience to be more mindful about the topic (beauty) and makes it unforgettable! I loved assisting and watching people make their own flowers - they looked focused, being their most creative self, expressive and happy!!!

I chatted with some of them and I liked how one can connect with each other through art! I liked to hear how people feel and express themselves and the exhibition was a great environment for people to do that!

Everyone became an artist there - reminds me of how Talya has been encouraging others (like me!) to embrace our creativity! I see Mind in the Mountains as a garden of beauty and creativity hehehe.

- Joyce, @enjoyce.studio

Photography by @sam_captures_

‘When I saw the live drawing the woman in Beauty from the Ashes, I was struck by her feet which seem well travelled. It is like she has been looking for something, and she finally finds it at the feet of Jesus. On one hand, she must have seen the beauty of the Lord that she willingly pours out her precious ointment. Yet, it is perhaps the fact that Jesus sees her for who she is, not what she can give, that melts her heart. Those weary little feet can now rest. They have found a home.

The live drawing, which took days to complete, made me think of the slow progress of life, of falling in love, stumbling, embracing and growing in love. It is the same with my relationship with God. I can't rush it and just demand perfection overnight. He is the artist and I am the canvas. My part is to give him space for him to draw.

Every stroke, even the randomest and the one that doesn't make sense at first, forms a beautiful image in his time. If the canvas judges the artist prematurely and refuses to be drawn on, the artwork will never come to light. Even the incomplete image in its various stages can be enjoyed in its own right, just like how life can be very beautiful once we learn to enjoy the process.

Kudos to Talya and the entire team for the brilliant concept and unique experience. The whole space was stunning, grace-filled and thought provoking!’

- Johannes Tjendro, @preachitbaldy 

how it all began…

In my early days, I often sold my art at local art markets. I specialized in selling one-of-a-kind hand-painted tote bags, and each of these totes held a unique story about me. Sometimes, I painted my dreams, while other times, I let my imagination create entire worlds within my mind. On occasion, I simply used my art to express the longing for comfort or the winding paths that mirrored my life's journey. At nearly every art market, someone would inquire, "Interesting name... What does it mean?" A simple one-sentence explanation never sufficed, so here's a full article detailing the story behind my brand's name!

The name 'Mind in the Mountains' originated during a particular moment in my life when I found myself at the Institute of Mental Health (IMH), awaiting someone close to me. This was a period marked by my departure from my role as an Architectural Coordinator, a decision driven by the pursuit of "finding myself." (Admittedly, it sounds like an unusual reason to leave a job.)

Following this, and after experimenting with several ad-hoc jobs, I made a pivotal choice to purchase a hundred tote bags and embark on a journey of painting them. This decision came after a cruise holiday during which I participated in a tote bag painting activity. Not only did I thoroughly enjoy it, but the organizers also expressed a keen interest in purchasing my creation. A latent desire to express my creativity stirred within me, and I saw this opportunity as a promising starting point. Consequently, tote bags became my canvases, and people began carrying my art with them. My aspiration was for each bag to be an authentic expression of my heart and mind, ensuring that every piece remained unique.

Interestingly, I toyed with several other intriguing names before settling on 'Mind in the Mountains.' Names like 'The Outcast Club' or 'The Uncommon People' briefly crossed my mind. Looking back, these names revealed a desire to connect with individuals who felt misunderstood, broken, or wounded—emotions I had experienced myself and observed in others. Remarkably, this essence remains at the core of my brand today.

Returning to my time at IMH, I recall that the phrase 'embraced by creation' frequently popped into my mind during my brainstorming sessions. However, it didn't quite feel like the right name. The idea of mountains, as a manifestation of creation, also loomed large in my thoughts. These natural wonders symbolized an embrace, especially when one found themselves within their midst—an embrace akin to comfort, which I deeply craved during that period. I can't pinpoint the exact moment 'Mind in the Mountains' came to me, but I distinctly remember scribbling it down on a scrap piece of paper while seated on those unforgiving plastic chairs at IMH.

"Mind in the Mountains" - and just like that, it clicked!

After weeks of contemplation, this was the name that resonated with me. It perfectly aligned with the direction my brand was taking at that time. As I created, my mind was indeed in the mountains, and I felt embraced by the act of creation.

Every brushstroke became a path,

Every color represented a place,

The destination remained unknown.

As I painted, My mind resided in the mountains.

Over the years, the significance of this name continued to evolve alongside my personal growth. I discovered that I could authentically express myself by delving into the intangible. The mind, much like an invisible canvas, allowed me to express the inexpressible through colors, strokes, and texture. It enabled me to convey what a photograph couldn't capture—the essence of my inner world, my heart, mind, and soul—the authentic self. This revelation became one of my missions: to empower people to express their true selves through art. The best part? Anyone could do it.

Written by: Talya Shelley