Singapore caricature artist Peter Zhou helps a child with her drawing as part of the ASEAN Children's Happy Drawing Project on June 19. Pics: Christopher Davy

THE ASEAN Children’s Happy Drawings project, led by Singapore artist Peter Zhuo, stopped by the Basic Education High School No.1, Yangon on June 19 in the final leg of its ASEAN tour.

Braving the raucous giggles of more than 100 children from a number of local schools, Timeout went along to meet the artist and see what the project is all about.

“The aim of this project is to give an opportunity for the children in ASEAN countries to know the other parts of the bigger world besides the place they live,” said Peter Zhuo, who had managed to take a few minutes out from helping the children draw.

The project is certainly an ambitious one, having travelled already to the nine other ASEAN countries. In each country Peter has made multiple visits to schools in an effort to inspire as many children as possible with their drawing.

Children watch as a masterpiece nears completion.

“I wanted to do something that involves a lot of children. One child’s art can give another child happiness and joy. Art…can be more than just putting a few strokes to paper. It can also put a smile on a child’s face.”

The proof of this is right before us. Having begun the session drawing caricatures of the children, Peter soon turns the tables and asks the children to draw him. Amongst great delight and hand-clapping the children watch as their peers make various efforts to depict the 24 year old artist.

Peter’s background as a caricaturist, which began at 16 by selling pictures from a market stall, proves perfect for this type of event. With massively oversized heads and tiny bodies the drawings of Peter penned by the children easily capture the mischievous nature of caricature.

Before long the children are back seated at their tables, creating their own pictures with coloured pens, pencils and paints. The room is a hive of activity; brows furrow in concentration, pencil lines are rubbed away furiously and keen mothers and teachers stand close by ready to offer their advice.

Looking around the room one might think that Peter is mad for organising such an ambitious project in so many schools. But it would seem that this is just the start.

“My biggest aim is to bring more happiness to more places so more children can draw. I want to change the world with one drawing at a time. But there’s only so much one person can do. So my job is to inspire the children to enjoy the drawings and it will be millions of children,” he says.

In the future the project may stretch beyond the ASEAN countries, travelling elsewhere in Asia and the world. It’s clear that Peter has the energy to pull this off. Already this year he has been given the “Everyday Hero Award” by Reader’s Digest Asia. In addition, he was awarded the “Outstanding Young Person of the Year” award in Singapore in recognition of his contribution to children, world peace and humanitarian work.

One of the most uplifting elements of this type of event is that is provides children with a young role model, proving that success is less about age and more about passion. Peter’s motivation stems partly from the positive role he sees himself as playing.

“For every stroke I draw and every single drawing I do, I want to make a positive impact to the children’s lives. My goal is to be able to tell my grandchildren how young artists can change the world,” he says.

Peter is also recognised in the Guinness Book of Records as being the fastest caricature artist in the world. “I tried and practiced a lot with strong passion,” he remarked. It's a quality he is eager for the children to learn.

After an hour of frantic activity the children’s drawings finally approach completion. Children from other classes are now spilling into the room, curious to see what’s going on. The paintings gradually reach a point where they can be laid out on display. Those children who used paint, hand their drawings over to the adults who dutifully attempt to dry them in front of the large fans.

Thiri Phyo Zaw aged nine is a grade five student. With satisfaction, she looks at her picture of three puppets dancing upon a stage.

“I wondered what I should draw and what would make me happy. I remember a TV program with dancing puppets. I really enjoyed it and wanted to dance together with them even though I can never see them for real. So I decided to draw a picture of them instead,” she says.

Asked if she’s enjoying herself, she beams, “This is a great day for me and I’m really happy because of the pictures drawn by the artist. I’m amazed that he can draw the pictures so quickly. I really envy him and would like to be an artist like him.”

Thiri Phyo Zaw may have a chance to become a published artist sooner than she thinks. The best 100 drawings from the Children’s Happy Drawings project will be published as a book under the title What Makes Me Happy — An ASEAN Children’s Album. The book will be launched in mid-July during the 41st ASEAN Regional Forum meetings.

Peter has other ideas too. Although still unconfirmed, he wants to hold an exhibition of the drawings in Singapore to raise funds for children affected by Cyclone Nargis.

Looking around at the happy faces it’s fair to say that the project has been a great success at the school But what does Peter think about the artwork and the children?

“We have some amazing collections here. And the children are very cute. But I think Myanmar kids are very very shy!”