So today we shake things up as our Model Doctor, Mary Gitau, who was featured on the previous post, extended an invitation to her artist friend, Daniel Muraba.
She interviewed him on the same topic of Art, Creativity and Creativity. This will be my shortest post ever, but very impactful nonetheless.
I first met today's scientist-creative at a financial literacy class for campus students. She is a bubbly and intelligent lady and I noticed this especially when we were given a group-task to come up with a business idea in such a short time. Her ideas were intriguing and we eventually chose one of them to present as a group...and greater so is her story. I admire her dedication to her art and I'm so glad I get to share her story here. (PS- I know I'm not the only one stunned by her dance outfits! They are simply breathtaking! )
You can find more of Njoki on www.thedancingbiochemist.com and her social media pages as The Dancing Biochemist. FBIG
Hello, my name is Njoki Wairua but I am also popularly known as 'The Dancing Biochemist.' I am a professional dancer and a biochemist. I am vast in ballet, jazz dance and hip hop dance, more specifically break dance. I recently completed my undergraduate studies with a major in Medical Biochemistry.
For the longest time, I felt the need to constantly explain myself as to why I chose to study biochemistry while still pursuing a career as a professional dancer. Comments such as "Biochemistry is so hard, why not study a bachelor of arts", " Are you sure you're a scientist?" and "Why not drop the dancing and simply focus on biochemistry?" were all too common and it bothered me at first. So much so that I would take the time out to explain to all these people who seemed to have such strong opinions on my career choices, that in fact, I could do it all. Needless to say, very few were convinced and I would end up frustrated, distraught and sometimes in doubt about my choices.
Life is better when you dance
I eventually chose to ignore what people thought and said, and simply worked on myself; my dancing and my studies. Soon I saw results. I was excelling both academically and in my dance career. This brought on more support from those very people who had strongly discouraged me to pursue both the arts and science. It was a relief of course but I thought it quite unfortunate as they only validated my hard work once they deemed it 'okay' according to their standards. This realization further reinforced what I had slowly come to learn, 'do you and march to the beat of your own drum! Otherwise, you'll drown trying to please the world!'
Dance is like wine, it matures with every performance
Fast forward to today and I can confidently speak these words without second-guessing myself, 'Hi, my name is Njoki Wairua, I am The Dancing Biochemist, and I am slaying at both my careers!'
Show Case of my art
How art has built my Christian Faith
Throughout my dance journey, I have seen first hand, God's grace and abundance in blessings. When I first decided to take the steps to becoming a professional dancer, I never imagined I would accomplish some of the great feats I have thus far. From appearing in newspapers, magazines and even BBC to being a brand ambassador for my previous performing arts school, not to mention winning Sondeka Awards 2018 in the dance category. All these accolades are for me proof that God indeed walks with me in my dance journey.
Besides all the good, I have faced quite a few challenges as well. From racism to literally being laughed at for pursuing a dance career. God has given me the strength to keep going even when I felt like giving up. I have felt God's presence and comfort every step of the way! And as I have kept going, better opportunities have come my way and I have had the chance to embrace them. God gave me my talent and I am making the most of it as my gift back to Him.
Advise to anyone wishing to join the arts as a scientist
Just do it! Forget what the society expects of you, simply follow your heart! I found that pursuing a career in dance while simultaneously pursuing my biochemistry studies helped me balance off the pressure that comes with sciences. Biochemistry is a pretty tough course and I often needed to blow off some steam. Dance gave me the opportunity to do that!
Everything in the universe has rhythm. Everything dances.
What Njoki has shared resonates with many, including myself. For so long I felt I had to choose one or the other. Question being, is art a science or is science an art? Sounds a lot like the chicken and the egg question huh? Well, here's what Raysam had to say about it;
" I was checking out the difference between "science" and "art". I guess the key terms that stood out for me are "understanding vs skill". The end game or final result gives the stark difference. On one end you basically ask a lot of questions and discover to know. On the other end you know in order to use practically.
I can rephrase that to mean: On one hand you have discovery as the objective; while on the other hand you have practical solutions to an existing challenge/problem as the objective. Or rather "discovery vs application".
Then it makes sense why research and experimentation are so crucial in the scientific world.
And why experience is so crucial in the art world.
Though of course there's a thin line between the two terms that can easily be crossed.
I think there's truth in both statements. Science is an art and art is a science. The art science and the science of art. "
I've have literally reported verbatim what he said and would love to hear if you hold similar or contrary sentiments. Go on and share your opinion in the comments section so that we can try figure this out together!
PS- Don't forget that tomorrow morning, they'll be another interesting story I'll share. I'd advice you to subscribe/follow the blog so that you don't miss out on any new posts!
{Above is an audio recording I made of this blog post for those who prefer listening in. But for the guys like me who like the traditional option of practically reading, do proceed. :) }
I love mandazi. Especially mandazi that has cardamon in it. So divine!
“Wait a minute Mueni. Doesn’t the title of this blogpost say this is supposed to be about creativity and Christianity? But we are talking about mandazi...hmmm… ”
Guys, isn't this my story to tell ? Just relax, I' m getting there. :)
Haha, anyway… once a month, my church serves tea and mandazi to all congregants after service. I never thought I’d be the kind of person that looks forward to tea, but boy don’t I look forward to those Sundays! I get to fellowship with friends and family.... aaannd eat mandazi that has cardamon in it. ;)
Okay okay, you get it…cardamon mandazi is great. The best actually! And you will never take plain mandazi again after I've shared that secret with you. :P Fine, I’ll move on with the story.
So one Sunday, my aunt and I were having a conversation after service over tea and mandazi. I barely remember what the rest of it was about, but this part stood out the most.
She asked something on the lines of...
“Joy,are you a creative?"
I paused for a moment.
“Me? A creative? ”
I asked, reflectively.
“Ah…why am I even asking, music, spoken word…yeah, you definitely are one…”
She concluded rather quickly, and moved on to catch up with her friend who had come to say hello.
I stood there, wondering where all this had randomly come from and after they were done, I asked, “Aunty, what did you mean by a 'creative’?”
“Well, as I said, your music, spoken word…all that creative stuff…that's what makes you a creative.” she responded.
I don’t remember how the conversation went on after that but it left me with many questions; does my medical school life then, fit into her definition of me as a ‘creative’? Do my scientific ambitions assert or nullify ‘creativity’? Are scientists creatives? Can they be? In fact, who is a creative in the first place?
Whoa...questions overload!
Don't worry, we'll walk through them together, but before that, I'd like you to imagine this;
You meet someone for the first time and this is how they introduce themselves;
“Hi, my name is ___(so and so)_____ and I am a creative.”
What are the first thoughts that come to your mind about what they could be doing as creatives? Were they any of the following?
(Please make a mental note of them before you proceed.)
So, did you think of;
Musician.
Poet.
Artist.
In our day and age, Social Media content creator…
Perhaps they even have a YouTube channooooo . :D
Well, suppose you engage them further on that.
“Oh cool...so what do you do as a creative? "
Then they answer,
“I’m a scientist.”
Pause. Did your mind just struggle joining those two dots? Scientist-Creative...Creative scientists…huh?
Well, this then is the series for you. #ARTWEEK #BothSidesOfTheDivide #IAmCreative #WeAllAre
This week, we will try to understand these four aspects and how they are intertwined; art, science, creativity and Christianity.
As I introduce the series, I’ll start by making a very bold claim.
You are creative. Yes, YOU!
In fact, we all are creative. Regardless of what we do.
But first let me share interesting nuggets I gathered in my search for answers;
“Because we image God, each one of us is born inherently creative.”
-Hannah Varamini
“One way of thinking about the way we have distanced ourselves from creativity is this: we have lost sight of our creativity’s source. As creatures made in God’s image, we are designed by God to be like God, and this means we’re designed to create, not peripherally but as part of our fundamental nature. In other words, in the beginning, we are each given, as part of the warranty of being human, a harmonic calling, the melody of a set of good things to do with our lives. As an image or representation of God, when we create, we reflect the character of God and the glory of God. Our God-given creative passion is our unique art and the source of our fulfillment. Each of us is made to be God’s cocreator. And, as with any creative process, the work draws the workers together. When we create, we move closer to God; conversely, when we merely consume, we move further from God. To call someone, or yourself, uncreative is simply untrue. Our creativity problem is not that we don’t have this supernatural power within us. It’s that we have lost track of it. It’s latent. (emphasis mine)”
-Len Wilson (Author of Think Like a 5 year Old- Reclaim you wonder and create great things)
The Bible itself is a work of art. From beginning to end, we are told the story of The Creator and His creation in parable, poetry and many more literary styles. Its genesis? Chapter 1 verse 1, “In the beginning , God created the heavens and the earth.” The first attribute we see of God in the Word, is Him as a creator.
Up to today, we marvel at His creation. I personally am enthralled by the majesty of creation seen in the human body. I am amazed at how every detail was worked out in such a way that we as scientists are always learning more and more about the body system. Doing more research, down to the molecular level to see how the body works. And then engineers, innovators and medics relate where man-made objects can be likened to body features. The eye as a camera. The heart as a pump. The joints as levers. The nose as a filter. The skin as protective armor. And so on.
And now, 3D printing in medical technology enables us to print organs and living tissues. New steps are being applied each day to making things better and better.
Each day, someone creates . The definition I’ll use for create is; bring something into existence. What once was not ,now is, just as was done by God in the beginning. But now, He does it through human beings. Just as God continues to show Himself as merciful and kind, He continues to create. Only that He uses people to do that. Us, His co-creators.
“How many are your works, Lord. In wisdom you made them all, the world is full of your creatures." Psalm 104:24 (NIV)
Unfortunately, we don’t really believe that. We don’t see ourselves as conduits of God’s creativity. So the glory of all our daily creative work isn’t channeled to the rightful Owner. Most times, we end up taking the glory for it.
This week, I have partnered with fellow scientist-creatives, to tell the story of how God is using them as vessels of creativity, in the fields of science and art. I particularly chose these two as they are both dear to me and I'm glad God led me to some amazing people who are shining their light in both areas concurrently! We may not focus on the art of music as much (God willingly, I’ll address this in a subsequent music-specific series) but I pray that each day, as you read their testimonies, God will use this to affirm to you that indeed, you are creative. I pray that in this realization, you will listen in to how He wants you to bring Him glory in every single thing you do and all that you create.
Do you have any expectations, opinions or questions about this topic? Have you also felt like you are on #BothSidesOfTheDivide? Do share in the comments section. I'd love to hear what you have to say!
I can't wait to share the stories from tomorrow. Every morning at 9 am sharp. Monday through Saturday!
Soli deo Gloria
(Photo credits; Deno Kim, Sammy and Alice W. | Featuring Julles and Mary G.)
PS- For the book lovers, here are links to 2 book suggestions I came across on this topic:
Think Like a Five Year Old- Len Wilson
The Imagination of God: Art, Creativity and Truth in the Bible
