OFF-DUTY:

CREATIVE

STREAK

From traditional Chinese painting to tattoos and dancing, Magna’s Millennials have the ability to use imagination and intelligence in original ways. Little wonder that sociologists are calling this “Generation Create.”

Here are a few examples from our talented group:

Earning Art Honors

Magna artists in India showcased their pandemic-related creativity on Yammer in a 2020 Magna Electronics contest that included singers, dancers and painters. Aniket Kolekar’s portrait of a child reaching to open a door earned the most “likes” in the drawing category.

“I was trying to show that no one was permitted to leave home, so we were all like that small child who is trying to go outside,” Kolekar explained. “I tried to show the emotions we were all feeling.”

Children are often the subject of his work in watercolors and oil paint. His portrait of a street child selling Indian flags illustrates not just how she survives, but her happiness at finding a customer. He said his best work is a portrait of his 5-year-old niece, Durva.

“I captured her emotions on my mobile phone and then got my brushes and paint,” Kolekar said, blending technology and old- school techniques.

His work can be found at art_bi_aniket on Instagram.

The Right Moves

Anna Cao started dancing a year ago and can’t stop.

“I go to the Bodysoul dance studio in Shanghai and dance for two hours every day,” said Cao. “When I dance, it’s really relaxing and a good way to relieve stress.”

Jazz and hip hop are her favorites. She loves to dance to the music of BLACKPINK, a South Korea girl group known for fun, explosive songs that meld pop, electronica and hip hop music. Britney Spears’ Oops!... I Did it Again is guaranteed to get her moving, too.

“I’m going to keep dancing,” Cao said. “In a couple of years, I’d like to become a teacher in my spare time.”

TikTok and Traditional Art

The walls of Zhao Le Huang’s room are filled with her stunning renderings of Chinese landscapes and historical paintings of Buddha and Confucius.

She’s honed her technique by taking online courses and watching TikTok videos. Her best pieces are shared on WeChat.

“Whenever there is a challenge in life, I sit down and paint,” Huang said. “I find peace in my heart.”

Body Art

Mitchell Bauman’s 15 tattoos reference literature, music and important moments in his life. They include the Disney character Stitch playing the ukulele and a Dementor from the Harry Potter books.

“I have four Harry Potter tattoos,” Bauman said. “I grew up on Harry Potter. It was a part of my childhood.”

Some of the tattoos are black and white; others are in color. But they all represent Bauman’s appreciation of art.

“Tattoos are a form of artistic expression,” he said. “I have art on me.”

Group