A SPECIAL needs school in Bukit Mertajam, Penang, organised its first charity art exhibition to showcase the creative talents of its students.
The exhibition, held at the Penang Legislative Assembly building, featured 34 works by eight students on the autism spectrum.
The event raised RM5,900 – comprising RM3,900 from the sale of 18 paintings and RM2,000 from public contributions – which will go towards the school’s operating costs.
Sekolah Sinar Harapan principal Sabirin Abu Bakar said the exhibition marked a significant milestone for the school.
“This is the first time students have independently produced and publicly showcased their work.
“Children with autism often have hidden artistic abilities that need proper guidance and exposure.
“This exhibition is not about fundraising, but about providing a platform for students to express themselves, build confidence and recognise their own talents,” he said at the opening of the exhibition.
Sabirin said the school received support from artist Datuk Seri Rosli Jaafar, who mentored the students through weekly lessons over six months.
“His guidance helped uncover and strengthen their artistic potential,” Sabirin said, adding that the school hoped to organise similar exhibitions in the future, including at larger venues such as Parliament.
Rosli, an architect-turned-artist and former general manager of the Penang Development Corporation, said he was proud to see the students present their work publicly.
“I adopted a fun approach, so they not only learned to draw but also gained confidence.
“I hope this experience inspires them to pursue their passions and make a positive impact on others,” he added.
Currently, Sekolah Sinar Harapan has 64 students aged four to 18, including those with autism, Down syndrome and other learning disabilities.
Established in 1986, the school is managed by Central Seberang Perai Association for the Welfare of Mentally Challenged Children and operates under the auspices of the Penang Welfare Department.
Art activities were introduced about six months ago to help students focus and express themselves in ways that do not rely on speech.
Penang tourism and creative economy committee chairman Wong Hon Wai, who launched the event, said the exhibition carried a meaningful message about inclusion and empathy.
“These paintings are not only visually beautiful but also rich in expression, imagination and honesty.
“They show that art is a universal language capable of transcending limitations and communication barriers,” said Wong.
Among the highlights was a collaborative piece by Wan Irish Azal Yea Wan Indera Zulkifli, 11, and Ayra Mysha Naira Mohd Afif Ibrahim, seven.
The painting featured a vortex of overlapping colours.
Wan Irish explained: “The yellow is like a light. The pink is like friendship. The green is like grass.
“The purple is like humanity, orange is colourful, brown is like the trees, and earth, like life.
“Mysha and I put our love into it. When I look at it, I feel very happy,” she said.
Wan Irish also helped guide her classmates during drawing sessions.
“Maybe they do not colour perfectly, but to me, they are perfect.
“The value of the artwork goes beyond how it looks,” she said.
Noor Azira Bahari, who has 30 years of teaching experience, said the introduction of art therapy around six months ago had yielded results.
She said the improvements ranged from longer attention spans to better participation during activities.
“Some students were more willing to sit through tasks, while others showed greater confidence in completing their work.
“They were excited and listened to instructions better,” she said, noting that the children looked forward to the sessions every Wednesday.
“When the art programmes were held, they were all on standby,” she added.
