Front Row Back Row

October 1999

My psychotherapy class developed a reputation for being "split". Unlike other classes, where everyone merged into one big emotional mass, my class appeared to be split into two groups.

The term "Front Row Back Row" was coined by someone (sitting in the front row) who perceived that colleagues (sitting in the back row) were laughing at her.

Lecturers and students (from other classes) commented about this phenomena. They hoped we would get together into one "lovey dovey" heap. But we didn't want to do that.

In recognition of our unique culture, I designed these t-shirt transfers.

The lesson I learnt was that I do not have to take other people's criticisms too seriously. My class had a style of conducting itself that appeared strange to outsiders.

We were not rebellious. We had our own style. This is what it means to be differentiated.

One of the consequences of being differentiated was that we raised the ire of authority figures.

Ironically, we were criticised for practising what the school was teaching us: DIFFERENTIATION.