Transformative Printing: Communication in Visual Arts of Awareness for Educating Malaysia's Street Children

Abstract

This studio-based research project investigates the utilization of visual communication arts to illuminate the exclusion of street children in Malaysia from formal education, attributed to the absence of critical identification documents and national identity cards. Although government entities such as SUHAKAM are vital, NGOs have also become significant advocates, providing assistance and enhancing educational accessibility. This study examines two groups, Yayasan Chow Kit and SUKA Society, both dedicated to providing educational opportunity for neglected children. The project utilizes a systematic four-step studio methodology: i) Theme, ii) Concept, iii) Screen, and iv) Print. Students from department of Printing UiTM Puncak Alam created screen-printed designs on useful items transforming societal challenges into concrete and visually compelling meaning. These art products seek to cultivate empathy, critical awareness, and communal responsibility by emphasizing the significance of education for street children. This project illustrates that visual communication transcends artistic expression to function as advocacy and social involvement, connecting creative practice with societal influence. Additionally, the initiative corresponds with Sustainable Development Goals 4, 5, and 10, demonstrating the capacity of visual arts to foster inclusiveness, equity, and social resilience, while enabling both creators and viewers to engage in significant social transformation.

Keywords: Studio based research, Children Education, Visual Communication, Art Product