Sanjay Chin: Unassuming, talented
Published:Saturday | August 24, 2013 | 12:00 AM
Karen Sudu, Gleaner Writer
LINSTEAD, St Catherine:
THE SAYING, 'Never judge a book by its cover' aptly describes Sanjay Chin, who copped five Caribbean Secondary Education Certificate (CSEC) subjects in the 2013 examinations.
The unassuming Dinthill Technical High School alumnus, who hails from a humble family from Jericho district on the outskirts of Linstead, St Catherine, is a visual arts specialist.
"I found out that I could draw from I was at the junior high section of Rosemount Primary and Junior High School," the easy-going 18-year-old shared with Rural Xpress.
In fact, he said it was a teacher who brought attention to his talent, which earned him grade two in the visual arts examination.
"I was in the class. It wasn't my regular class, so I wasn't really doing anything, and the teacher said 'Come on, man. Get your hands working', and I just took up a book and started drawing a face in the book," he reflected.
He said he started to develop his skills from that time, subsequently producing some eye-catching pieces.
"I look at things or people and draw them, and I also think about things in my head and draw. I use imagination and draw and paint," he explained.
Livingston Lewin, under whose tutelage he copped top awards in the subject at Dinthill, described the former prefect as "very talented."
"He is hard-working, very, very organised. He does some nice pieces. He is a good candidate for art school because he works with his ideas very nicely," Lewin told Rural Xpress.
His proud, but humble father, Milton Chin, a construction worker, is overwhelmed by his talent.
"I feel all right to see what he is doing. I know he is very good with drawing," Chin said with a satisfying smile.
Sanjay's dream is to become a member of the Jamaica Defence Force. However, he wants to hone his skill at the Edna Manley School of the Performing and Visual Arts.
"I want to go to Edna Manley, but I need financial help because my parents don't have it. I will also try to sell some of my pieces and also get a job so I can save towards going to college," he said.
The youngster, who represented Dinthill in track and field, loves to read, listen to music, and watch television in his spare time.
PHOTOS BY KAREN SUDU