Artjamila collaborates with pharmacy chain to raise autism awareness

The limited edition 'Alpro X ARTJAMILA' wet wipes feature three of Artjamila's illustrations. Photo: Handout

Merging art with everyday essentials, artist Wan Jamila Wan Shaifu Bahri - who is known professionally as Artjamila - now has her colourful creations on pharmacy chain Alpro Pharmacy’s limited edition wet wipes packets.

This collaboration aims to raise funds for the autism community in Malaysia, with part of the sales proceeds donated to the National Autism Society of Malaysia (Nasom).

For every bundle of wet wipes sold, RM0.60 will be channelled to Nasom.

So far, over 21,000 wet wipes bundles have been sold and RM13,000 has been donated.

There are three designs to choose from, all done in ArtJamila’s trademark colourful and whimsical style.

The 19-year-old self-taught painter, who was awarded The National Autism Champion in 2019, says that she is happy and proud to be part of this collaboration.

Ostwin Paw Yen Thng (left), Chief Executive Officer of the Alpro Foundation, says that Artjamila, an advocate for autism awareness in Malaysia, is the perfect example to show that children with autism are capable of achieving amazing things in life when empowered with the right opportunity and freedom to express themselves. Photo: Handout

“My message for everyone is to understand that autism is not a disability, it is just a different ability,” says Artjamila.

“Autism Spectrum Disorder is often misunderstood to be a disease, when in reality it is not. People with autism are just like any one of us, except they are blessed with abilities to perceive and express things differently. The success stories of individuals like Wan Jamila along with the involvement of companies like Alpro helps to bring much-needed visibility on the importance of accepting and empowering this special community,” says Nasom chairman Julian Wong.

Artjamila's colourful and inclusive works continue to inspire and win awards in Malaysia.

On Sept 3, Artjamila's painting Unity In Diversity, Dance Series 1 also won the 1st place award for Malaysia’s 64th Independence Day Visual Arts Competition 2021, which was organised by Pentas, an NFT marketplace platform, under the theme of being Malaysian and embracing our culture.

Back in 2019, her Unity In Diversity painting series was displayed at Putra Square in Putrajaya for National Day.

Switzerland’s ViaTalenta Foundation appointed her as its Impact Artist 2020-2022.

Plans are also underway for her to have her work exhibited in several European galleries and institutions next year, including Complex du Louvre in Paris, the MAMAG Modern Art Museum in the castle Hubertendorf (Austria), as well as two other galleries in Vienna and Munich.