Emerged From Unknown VI

A child with special needs with his mother at the exhibition.

It's an established fact that art is the preferred means of expression for many. Things we find difficult to convey though words or even gestures, can be easily relayed via colours and sketches. Expression also means communication -- our means of connecting with each other. However for many individuals, their conditions operate as a wall between them and the rest of the world. Or so is the case for most autistic children.

'Emerged from Unknown VI' is an art exhibition featuring 120 paintings created by children from various schools that specialise in teaching the autistic. The exhibition is an initiative by HANS (Hello's Association of Neophyte Students) which is a non-profit students' association, in partnership with Surf Excel. The motivation behind the initiative is to break the false perceptions of the general public about autistic children in Bangladesh. Ignorance about the condition perpetuates the false notion that autism leaves individuals incompetent and incapable. Through this initiative, students -- ranging from ages 5 to 33 -- came together to create various forms of art. Whether it was finger painting or using crayons or even using everyday supplies to make crafts, the exhibition displayed various forms of artworks by these students.

Photo: Darshan Chakma

The exhibition opened on the 7th of November at DRIK Gallery, Dhanmondi with a press conference. The conference featured the Chairman of HANS, Meer Sohrabul Hossain; special guest Abul Barq Alvi, Dean, Faculty of Fine Arts, University of Dhaka and Abdullah Rashed Mahmud, Company Activation Manager, Unilever Bangladesh Ltd.

Meer Sohrabul Hossain said, “HANS is relentlessly trying to encourage the talents of autistic children. Apart from 'Emerged from Unknown', HANS is engaged in organising a cultural program titled 'Share with Innocence' and also visits different special schools dedicated to the autistic.”    

Abul Barq Alvi said, “I am amazed by the enthusiasm of the young volunteers of HANS. My responsibility was to select some pictures from the many artworks by the autistic children. These children may not draw in the traditional way but there is immense keenness. Instead of keeping them isolated we should focus on integrating them into society.”

Abdullah Rashed Mahmud said, “Surf Excel has been with HANS for the last five years, and hopefully will be with HANS in the long run also in their constant endeavour to eliminate the misconceptions about autistic children.”
Through such initiatives, HANS aims to raise awareness on autism, as well as humanise those who live with the condition. Each of the artworks share a story or a reflection on these children's assumptions and feelings towards life, our culture, freedom and other such themes.

The artworks are now on sale for a minimum price of Tk 3000; all proceeds will go to the artists and their families. The exhibition will remain open for 8 days (starting from November 7), from 3pm to 8pm, at DRIK Gallery, Dhanmondi (House 58, Road 15/A).