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Submitted by Sen on 3 December 2019

Art is increasingly recognised as medium of expression for persons with intellectual disabilities. Our editor Moyna Sen, who attended the Art Sanctuary's Gala organised by Shalini Gupta shares her impressions. 

Shaurya Mehrotra may be a young man of few words. But he is a happy person when he is around his creations at the recently held Art Sanctuary’s Gala: Art, Ceramic and Photography Workshops at DLF Chattarpur Farms -- beautiful ceramic pots and bowls, colourful and lovingly created by him in his own studio. Basil Joseph is as enthusiastic about his own paintings, and keeps checking them out on the exhibition walls. Basil is from Kochi and is more comfortable in Malayalam, but he loves to try out his smattering of English, his love to connect with people never wavering. Tarit Khanna is rarely seen without his camera and he proudly points out photos taken by him in the huge exhibition hall.

Nothing is different about this Art exposition – there are avid participants, their families and friends, some invitees and of course the Press, chronicling our lives. Possibly the only thing that set it a little apart was that the participants were all special people, variously challenged, either with Autism, or Down’s Syndrome or Asperger’s Syndrome, and they are all striving to overcome their difficulties and pursue a vocation of their choice, and even perhaps eke out a livelihood in future.

‘This was a laudable venture put together by special needs parent Shalini Gupta,’ says Madhusudan Srinivas, a media person, and father of Abhimanyu, who is on the Autism spectrum. ‘Shalini and I together with some other special needs parents, have been fellow travellers for close to two decades. Shalini’s daughter Gayatri has Down’s Syndrome. The original journey began more with people with other disabilities. It is only about a decade that children/people with Autism in India have increasingly expressed themselves through the visual arts. Photography never was so much a part of it. Now its of course a very big part of the ongoing programmes’, explains Madhusudan.

Saju Joseph, mother of 22- year- old Basil Joseph, was visiting Delhi from Kochi with the entire family, because Basil was very keen to attend the exhibition here and showcase his paintings. “I really loved it here, specially because it is very good for Basil’s confidence”, said the happy mother. Basil has, of course, been previously exposed to such experiences as he has participated in Biennale, an international exhibition of contemporary art held in Kochi. Basil participated in the category for specially abled people which they introduced last year, and Basil was thrilled to have had a solo exhibition there. Basil, who has Asperger’s Syndrome, is very friendly and loves interacting with people. “I loved coming to Delhi, I love being here at the Art Sanctuary, I am very happy to see all the paintings, especially my paintings and I loved meeting all the people here,”says Basil.

Bharat Kumar, 41, is an avid photographer, and he has participated in other exhibitions prior to the Art Sanctuary, like the Better India and Panasonic India exhibitions. “But he enjoyed being here, particularly because it was an opportunity to interact with people here,” says Kirti Kumar, Bharat’s mother. “I like meeting people, and specially giving interviews. That is why I enjoy participating in workshops and exhibitions,” says Bharat. His mother says he is conscious about his appearance and likes to be well-groomed.

Mohit Ahuja, a well-known photographer, who runs his own company Business for Good in Hauz Khas, New Delhi, dealing with Photography and Digital Solutions, and is a mentor to around 6 of the young adults at the event dabbling in photography, was there as well, advising them to get the right angles. ‘I have been conducting classes for Special Needs young adults for about 4 years now and I find it a rewarding experience’ says Mohit Ahuja. ‘The challenges range from Down’s Syndrome to Dyslexia to ADHD (Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder) to Autism and even some slow learners, for whom the prognosis has not been clear. What for me often becomes a problem is to give them individual attention. Keeping a person for each one of them is not financially viable always.’

He grooms the group of six - Tarit, Shaishav, Vikas, Shiva, Bharat and Tanmay - for them to take up photography as a future profession and accordingly keeps track of their progress. ‘I keep all the pictures taken by them, so that it is easier to track their progress’, says Mohit, adding that it is easier to train them better when they are younger.

The other celebrated photographer who was also mentoring the photo enthusiasts at the event was Samar Singh Jodha, teaching them angles and on how to improve on portrait pictures. Sarla Chandra, a Freelance Painter, was yet another enthusiastic mentor, teaching the young adults the fun of brush and colour.

There was substantial sale at the Art Expo as well, around 50 per cent of the display, which by general standards is also quite good.

There were workshops being held even as visitors and others roamed the sprawling hall and garden, and participants sat down freely to either paint or try their hand in pottery. Basil Joseph (below), who is largely a painter, gleefully sat down to create various forms with plasticine clay and inscribe his name on all his creations.

Shaurya Mehrotra (below) was busy in the workshop too. He even took to an impromptu session of playing drums to accompany a round of singing. That was spontaneous and heartwarming, and clearly showed how much they were enjoying the camaraderie during the event.

Art has been known to be a release for many conditions. Exhibitions and workshops which additionally show the way forward as professions are welcome as they provide opportunities and motivate people otherwise excluded from mainstream art exhibitions.

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