(From left) Seow, Yew and Fong observing Ainul Syeefa as she paints during the exhibition’s launch at the Sin May Building, Taman Bukit Maluri, Kuala Lumpur. — CHAN TAK KONG/The Star
A MONTH-long art exhibition featuring works by special needs artists has opened in Kuala Lumpur as part of an initiative to celebrate their talent and promote societal inclusion.
The “Rainbow in My Heart” art exhibition was launched in conjunction with the 11th edition of its art competition.
The exhibition is organised by the Rotary Club of Bandar Utama (RCBU) in collaboration with Sin May Sdn Bhd.
Running until Oct 19, the exhibition showcases more than 20 works by competition winners as well as established special needs talents, including Ainul Syeefa Zamrol.
Ainul Syeefa, 14, from Kedah, is autistic, and her works have featured in numerous exhibitions.
This year’s art competition, themed “Unite For Good”, drew 100 participants from across Malaysia, with Crayola sponsoring the prizes.
Society For Persons With Difficulties Dayspring Selangor principal Zipsy Kamalar said, “Over the years, I’ve seen so much improvement. In the beginning, some students couldn’t even draw, so we started with simple colouring.
“As time went by, we encouraged them to draw, then they moved from crayons to colour pencils and to watercolours, which is actually quite challenging.
“This is real progress in their learning and they enjoy experimenting with different materials,” she said during the exhibition’s launch.
She said the students started practising excitedly ahead of the competition.
The event organising chair and RCBU secretary Judy Chong Hing Pheng said that since its inception in 2011, the art competition has impacted the lives of more than 1,500 participants from across Malaysia.
“Art is a basic communication tool, just like music, as it helps increase social and emotional development.
“Through art, participants gain fine motor movements and improved hand-eye coordination and focus.
“With exposure to competitions like this, they’ll gain confidence and can become independent as full time artists,” she said in a statement.
Chong added that the proceeds from the artwork sales during the exhibition would directly benefit the artists and fund RCBU’s autism and special needs projects.
At the launch, RCBU president Amethyst Seow Soo Teng said the competition was a reminder of the positive change that could be created through shared commitment.
“These initiatives are about inspiring hope, nurturing talents and making a meaningful difference in the lives of others.”
Also present at the ceremony were Teratai assemblyman Yew Jia Haur, Rotary District 3300 past district governor Leslie Salehuddin, RCBU outgoing president Evia Foo Lee Mei, RCBU membership chair past president Allison Fong, Sin Ter May Sdn Bhd founder Datuk Ho Kong Chye, its managing director Chester Ho, Pansing Marketing Sdn Bhd assistant manager Ashini Nair and Artdialogo Asia chief executive officer Anna Karina Jardin.
Open from Wednesdays to Sundays, the exhibition welcomes visitors between 10am and 6pm at the Sin May Building in Taman Bukit Maluri.
