In a previous interview with《The Icons》, Taiwanese illustrator BLUE shared how he unintentionally became a parent-child illustrator. Initially, he used his personal page “BLUE流” to express the challenges of single parenting. As he continued to create more art, he transformed the moments he shared with his son into works of art. His illustrations, reflecting the profound emotions of daily life, have resonated with global audiences, accumulating over 3 million shares on Facebook. BLUE has even held a solo exhibition in Hokkaido, Japan, and was featured by renowned U.S. media outlet “Huffington Post.”
While BLUE’s early works focused on current events, he remains deeply concerned about societal issues, particularly education, after becoming a parent. This includes providing a quality educational environment for his child, rational distribution of educational resources, and addressing the impact of climate change on the living environment for future generations. Consequently, BLUE actively educates his son on the importance of environmental conservation, instilling in him an early awareness of caring for the planet.
Primary Concern: Education
Discussing his understanding of SDGs, BLUE sees them as challenges that humanity collectively faces. “Issues such as inequality and environmental conservation require collective efforts from everyone to make improvements,” he emphasizes.
SDGs established by the United Nations, encompass 17 crucial topics, including no poverty, gender equality, and climate action. They urge governments, businesses, and the general public to take action for the joint sustainable development of the planet and humanity.
Regarding SDG 4, which aims to ensure inclusive and equitable quality education for all, BLUE shares his perspective as a father: “Every parent wants the best for their child. Since my son started school, I’ve been reading extensively to find the best educational methods for him, hoping he grows up happy and confident.” BLUE’s concern in education extends beyond his child’s academic performance to encompass the overall school environment.
Expressing concerns about the Taiwanese education system, BLUE grew up in a rote-learning environment. Despite pressure to prioritize academic success over personal interests, he persisted and now pursues a career he loves. Aware of the potential stifling of his child’s talents and personality within the rigid education system, BLUE believes in fostering an environment that encourages exploration.
Rather than providing standard answers, he advocates for an educational setting that encourages children to try various activities, fostering self-discovery of their interests and abilities.
Addressing Future Challenges in Education
In the era of digital advancements, BLUE expresses concern about whether Taiwanese schools can promptly update teaching equipment and introduce courses to develop students’ technological capabilities. He worries not only about schools’ ability to prepare students for future challenges but also about the unequal distribution of educational resources.
“Private schools often have the financial capacity to invest in updated facilities and attract qualified teachers, potentially widening the gap between students attending public and private schools, deepening educational inequality,” he noted.
As a parent, BLUE empathizes with the desire not to disadvantage children from the start. Regardless of attending public or private schools, he hopes every child has ample opportunities for education and development.
BLUE believes that education is a long-term commitment that continues to influence a child’s actions and words even after parents are gone. “Providing quality education to help the next generation grow in a better environment is the most critical issue for me,” he said.
Early Cultivation of Environmental Awareness
BLUE recalled a visit to the zoo with his son, “He pointed to a polar bear and expressed concern about its vanishing habitat.”
Global warming is causing polar bears to lose their homes rapidly, photo by: BLUE
Climate change is another significant issue BLUE actively addresses. He believes in nurturing environmental awareness in children, “like many of my generation, we only learned about waste separation later in life.”
Starting from his son’s early years, BLUE aims to influence him positively, hoping his son will influence those around him in turn. For example, during Halloween, BLUE and his son utilize discarded cardboard from IKEA to create costumes, turning the DIY process into cherished memories.
“The weather is becoming more and more extreme nowadays. Sometimes it’s so hot in the summer that it’s unbearable to go outside. We are fortunate to have air conditioning to cool down; some people don’t even have access to electricity.” Faced with the challenges of climate change, SDGs 13 calls on everyone to take action. Recently, BLUE purchased a GOGORO electric scooter to reduce the use of fossil fuels, hoping to contribute to the well-being of the Earth.
BLUE’s commitment is also evident in the positive impact on his son. “Once, when there was a large bag of garbage to be disposed of at home, and the plastic bottles and aluminum cans were not separated, my son took the initiative to divide them into two bags. He not only has environmental awareness but also takes action.”
With climate change already underway, coinciding with the COP 28, annual global climate summit, BLUE emphasizes the importance of collective action. As countries convene to discuss strategies to mitigate the impacts of extreme weather events and reverse the global warming trend, BLUE urges everyone to pay attention and take action.
“I hope environmental protection goes beyond slogans and becomes ingrained in our daily lives. Only then can we leave a livable environment for our children and the next generation,” BLUE concludes.
Recommend for you:
