Every once in a while we come across films dealing with autism that inadvertently leave an indelible mark on us. The movie “I Am Sam” (Sean Penn, Dakota Fanning, Michelle Pfeiffer) comes to mind. This dissonant dialogue exchange hits the spot…

Rita (Michelle): I just don't know what to call you: retarded, mentally retarded, mentally handicapped, mentally disabled, intellectually handicapped, intellectually disabled, developmentally disabled...

Sam (Sean): You can call me Sam.

Autism is often misunderstood. It is a complex brain-based developmental condition that affects a person’s ability to communicate and relate to others.

No two individuals on the autism spectrum are the same. They each have their own strengths and challenges as well as level of support needs. It doesn’t mean, however, that those with this condition can’t live a productive life.

Ng Li Jie is among the many artists on the autism spectrum who are represented by The Art Faculty (TAF), which is a social enterprise by Autism Resource Centre (Singapore) to promote the special talents of people on the autism spectrum. It features the artwork and merchandise of talented students and alumni of Pathlight School who are in the school’s Artist Development Programme (ADP). ADP started in 2011 as a signature programme to nurture students’ artistic talents under the guidance of professional art coaches. These student artists are given opportunities to hone their talents and are also given platforms to be involved in public exhibitions and grow as motivated and confident artists.

Li Jie has benefited greatly from the mentorship under ADP. He is extremely motivated to master every possible painting technique he can glean from the art coaches as well as from books and courses. He enjoys creating highly realistic scenes of nature using acrylic, watercolor and oil paints. He explores abstract concepts in some of his work, too. His inspiring story is a reminder to all of us that we should never judge a book by its cover.

Li Jie: “I started with pencil doodling when I was three years old and progressed to making environmental drawings, such as scenes in the kitchen and television shows depicting trains and cars when I was six. I would recall such scenes, picture the images in mind, and then translate them onto any sheet of paper I could get my hands on. The images I created included drawing of the exact lines of objects like cracks on doors, hinges, labels of bottles, etc.

When I was nine or 10 years old I started exploring other mediums besides pencil. I started with watercolour after my mother gave me a watercolour painting set for recreation. I used to borrow self-help books from the library to read about various art techniques such as shading, tonal adjustment and mixing. I gradually progressed to acrylic and oil painting.

What always excited me was the challenge in using other painting materials to see what end product I could create.

For example, watercolour is translucent and gentle while acrylic is versatile for blending and fun. It challenges me to “dare to test” along with mix-and-blend.

From my perspective, art should not function like a photograph, but instead closely resemble the actual subject. I like painting subjects from my surroundings, usually in their natural forms. I am currently exploring modern man-made structures, which involve proportions and angles that bring out perspectives, detailing and sharp, crisp finishes. Additionally, I am hoping to experiment with largely modernistic painting and drawing.

The Artist Development Programme (ADP) has helped me to see subjects in another light…”

Mr Victor Ong, Creative Director of ARC has this to share, “Every artist inspires us. Some have great stamina for highly detailed artwork such as architectural drawings. Some have very unique perspectives revealed in their pieces, while some have strong interests in subjects such as dinosaurs or ships. Each artist’s autism traits can become strengths in his art.”

TAF works with ADP to translate ADP artists’ works into merchandise whenever possible. For every sale of artwork and product, TAF’s differently-abled artists earn royalties that provide them with a dignified source of income. This helps them learn the value of work and financial independence.

Today, TAF carries over 900 unique products with over 50 beneficiaries on our royalty scheme. It also hires four employees on the autism spectrum. ARC hopes to grow TAF to a global e-commerce platform.

Says Mr Ong, “Our long-term plan is to sell to larger markets overseas. This way, our artists will get an even bigger exposure and our social cause gets better sustained with stronger sales. We need a lot of help and experts to make that happen. It truly takes a village of many hands to maximise the potential of these artists.” 

Nurturing autistic artists is the heart and soul of TAF’s work. It has taken many under its wings, such as Ng Li Jie. It takes pride in their achievements, big and small.

On that note, I leave you with this poignant line delivered by Russel Crowe in the movie A Beautiful Mind: “Perhaps it is good to have a beautiful mind, but an even greater gift is to discover a beautiful heart.” 

Karmela | ws

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To support TAF’s differently-abled artists: shop for quality gifts or drop by its outlets at Enabling Village and Pathlight Campus 1.  Follow them on @theartfacultysg and Facebook.