Artists with Autism

Of late we have bought ourselves 3 paintings. One was at a recent Henry Butcher's Auction, a work by Malaysian artist, Tan Choon Ghee. The other 2 were when my husband and I stepped inside the Have A Heart booth at the preview of the Art Expo Malaysia 2010 at the MATRADE EXHIBITION & CONVENTION CENTRE.

Have A Heart is a parents' support group which provides a space for special needs artists to create artworks such as paintings, sculptures, photography and prints. We were greeted by Pn Wairah Marzuki who gave us a brief insight into the work of autistic children. This was the 4th time the organisation participated in this huge event. It certainly is invaluable exposure to networking with national, regional and international artists.

We bought the Red Rooster and the Green Parrot by Sea Ng Jun Xi who is known as SEAN. My daughter calls it the Spanish Rooster ! I like the cheery, confident stride of the rooster. Now as we have breakfast in the kitchen, no one can be moody !! The rooster will gently remind us to perk up and smile for it is sunny world. 'Look on the birght side! ' he crows!

The volunteer who delivered the paintings after the Expo told me that Sean is 13 and is struggling to talk just like his sister, Tynia who is also an autistic artist. Sean has a passion for all kinds of birds and he enjoys his painting lessons more if he paints birds. Besides drum lessons, he enjoys the therapeutic healing of clay as he indulges in pottery.

Red Rooster by Sea Ng Jun Xi

Green Parrot by Sea Ng Jun Xi

Incidentally, I bought a print titled Ethnic 1 by artist Tan Seng Kit . I feel Seng Kit 's painting has the vibrancy of the 1Malaysia we want for ourselves. Though it is just a print I decided to buy it when I saw his prints at a booth his mum was manning at Klpac a year or so ago. Seng Kit was diagnosed with autism at the age of 6. He is on a home school programme and has a flair as an artist and a bowler. His print now hangs in my ' creative junk room'. This is not to say I do not care for it anymore. In fact it is in this room that I create crafts and whatever ideas for my storytelling sessions. In truth it has a special place in my heart.

Autism as we know is a brain disorder that impedes communication, learning and social behaviour. According to the Ministry of Health, 1 in 600 children is diagnosed as autistic in Malaysia.

But see how these artists with autism communicate with us in their own way. Given the chance for more exposure I'm sure more good tidings will come their way. In the meantime, they work best at what they know best!

Tan Seng Kit -Ethnic 1

Sea Ng Jun Xi - Blue Peacock Acrylic on Canvas 78x 62 cm 2010

Birds are Sea Ng Jun Xi's favourites

Art by Nurul Akmal Ab Rahman

Art by Nurul Akmal Ab Rahman

Art by Nurul Akmal Ab Rahman

Tan Seng Kit - Pretty Blooms Acrylic on Canvas 72 X 103 cm 2010

Malaysia's iconic Twin Towers by Tan Seng Kit

Art by Tan Seng Kit

Art by Tan Seng Kit

Art from the Heart

'A bird does not sing because it has an answer. It sings because it has a song.'
- Chinese Proverb



















Looked like the birds had winged to the concourse of the Ikano Power Centre, Mutiara Damansara during the recent school hoildays.

There was much twittering - birds and humans! In one swift flight the KL Bird Park had come to the cool comfort of the concrete complex of the shopping cenntre. Albeit in the form of a mini aviary and other associated activities.

Whoever thought of the idea has my vote.Judging by the interest generated, chances are our tourist attraction will see more people visiting the Bird Park at the Lake Garden. A couple of years ago we heard the Bird Park, touted as the 'World's Biggest Walk -In Aviary' was in the doldrums. Not any more.

The place was crowded with a festive air. But my eyes were attracted by the silent frenzy of activity among the children. They sat there quite oblivious to all the loud announcements pounding over the PA of the shopping centre. Mothers, siblings, grannies, the odd fathers were up close the little ones as their fingers guided the crayons across the paper.

School's out - so it was time to walk away from the mountainous homework and the long tutorials. It was time to draw birds and take part in an art competition. To explore nature. Or just to be part of the family fun and the myriad of activities.

Some drawings were displayed on the wall. The children drew and coloured their birds - some in flight or perched with songs to sing. Wings soared towards the sky as if to say, 'Free! Free! Forever free!
What a coincidence! Back home,I had a scoop myself. Downloading the pictures taken, it suddenly dawned on me that among some books was a drawing of an eagle done by my second daughter.She was 11 then. It was drawn lovingly to accompany Lord Tennyson's poem,'The Eagle'.

I had kept some drawings I liked in a folder. I searched a little harder and to my utter delight,I found it and 2 more! They belong to the 2 siblings. Gosh! I had forgotten myself!

Obviously there were many times when drawing and colouring were done in full abandon. Looking at these art pieces is looking back to their tender years of growing up.

I showed them to my husband. I knew the same thoughts ran through our minds . How they've grown! Now they are 23,27 and 29. Only beautiful memories to cherish.:)