Focused flow: Zhe Xuan working on a piece at Zhe Xuan Fine Art Gallery in Cheras. Above him are pieces from his black-and-white ‘Kampung’ series. — MEGAT SYAHAR/The Star
When Jenny Soh learnt that her son Tan Seng Kit was autistic, she signed him up for art classes as a form of therapy.
She made the decision after seeing the boy’s drawing of a scene from a movie that they had watched together.
“I was amazed because it bore a striking resemblance, so I hired a tutor to help him hone his skills,” she said.
Relating her discovery of Seng Kit’s condition, Soh said it was after she received a call from his primary school headmaster.
“He asked me if I was aware of my son’s situation.
“I had not known about autism until then, so I was taken aback.
“I began reading up about it and felt overwhelmed by what I found,” she said, advising parents in a similar situation to seek support.
(From left) Effendy talking about an art piece with Soh and Seng Kit during an art exhibition at a Kuala Lumpur mall..— LOW BOON TAT/The Star
As a child, Soh said Seng Kit was always keen on using drawings as a way to communicate with her.
“He would draw what he wanted on paper.
“If he wanted an omelette, he would sketch an egg being fried and give it to me,” she added.
Seng Kit, now 33, proved a brilliant student and his talent has earned him international recognition.
In 2007, he received a Certificate of Special Recognition for Artwork showing Exceptional Artistic Ability from Brian Ayers Memorial Art Exhibition in North Carolina, United States.
The following year, his works were exhibited at the International Art Expo Malaysia and in 2011, he represented Malaysia at the All Art Camp in Bangkok, Thailand.
Last year, he was among 10 artists whose works were showcased at an exhibition at NU Sentral mall in KL Sentral, Kuala Lumpur.
The works were by artists with autism and learning disabilities. Seng Kit’s pieces included one featuring Australia’s Sydney Opera House, India’s Taj Mahal and Italy’s Leaning Tower of Pisa.
United Voice, a support organisation for such individuals, collaborated with Touch ‘n Go to organise the event recently.
Among those present at the showcase were Touch ‘n Go chief development corporate officer Lum Joy Deng, Touch ‘n Go chief executive officer Effendy Shahul Hamid and United Voice treasurer Johari Jamali.
The works displayed were also featured on Touch ‘n Go limited-edition cards with the proceeds from their sales going to the artists.
StarMetro spoke to some of the other artists’ families to learn how art has helped them cope with the challenges of living with autism.
Damien with his artworks showcased at an art exhibition in a mall
Knack for colours
Lai May Siah found out that her son Pua Zhe Xuan was autistic when he was four years old.
“He would not talk to us.
“He would not utter a single word,” said Lai of the discovery that led her to look for an alternative method to communicate with her son.
The opportunity presented itself during their visit to Langkawi, Kedah when the family visited a batik-making venue.
Lai discovered that Zhe Xuan had a knack for choosing colours.
His brother Pua Zhe Yong, 21, described Zhe Xuan, now 29, as having a unique take on colours.
“He would choose shades that are not normally used, but when he puts them onto a canvas, his vision starts to make sense.
“He also prefers to eat colourful food. If he is given white rice, he will go through the kitchen to find condiments that add colour to his food,” he said.
Zhe Yong prefers to draw abstract objects and his works tend to feature vibrant hues.
But his works under the “Kampung” series at the event showed a different side of him as they were all in black and white.
Lai said the black-and-white drawings were meant to showcase his different skill set.
Lee with his piece titled ‘Secret Cave’ at the Langkawi International Tourism Art Exhibition.
Inspired by the greats
Anthony Lee Weng Choong, 35, draws inspiration from the works of great artists like Claude Monet and Vincent Van Gogh.
His works often feature influences from both artists, which is evident in his “Solitary Beat by Beach” piece printed on one of the Touch ‘n Go limited-edition cards.
His mother Helen Chin Lee Min realised her son had talent after she saw his drawing of a horse.
“We were at Central Market selling batik paintings and I asked him to help decorate an empty space at our booth.
“He painted a horse. A French tourist and a toddler walked past our booth and the child kept pointing at the horse drawing, amused,” she said.
Weng Choong’s artworks at the event comprised images of oceans and seas.
One of them depicted his interpretation of Van Gogh’s “Cafe Terrace at Night” painting.
StarMetro visited his home in Cheras, Kuala Lumpur, which was filled with his artworks.
His work also featured as a motif on a pillowcase.
“When I discovered my son is autistic, my world crumbled,” said Chin.
“But I never resented him and have always treated him like anyone else.
“He is a person just like we all are,” she added.
Award-winning artists
Nora Tan Siew May recalled feeling emotional after learning that her son Damien Wong was autistic.
“But when I later found out that his sister Ashley was autistic too, I was overwhelmed and did not know how to process it,” she said.
That was a long time ago and Damien and Ashley are now 27 and 25, respectively.
Nora was thankful to her sister, who encouraged Damien to take part in an art exhibition in Tokyo, Japan.
“I was initially hesitant, but after he drew our maid, I became confident of his talent and agreed to let him go,” she said.
Damien has since gone on to win an award at the Asia Para Art Tokyo Exhibition in 2009 for his “Lady with the flute” series.
Ashley also honed her talents and skills when she was little.
“I stumbled upon an art studio. An instructor there also had an autistic child and she offered to tutor Ashley.
“Ashley did not like crowded and noisy places, so the instructor suggested a one-to-one lesson,” said Tan.
Both sibling’s works at the event were inspired by nature.
Damien drew a hornbill while Ashley came up with an abstract drawing of a red turtle.
