Nem is passionate about drawing and painting (Source: courtesy of Nem's parents) Hanoi (VNA) - Ha Dinh Chi, (aka Nem), hardly speaks. Hisquiet world is not boring but vibrant, as he has found a passion for brushesand colours.
Nem was diagnosed with autism at an early age. For a 13-year oldboy, he is small and has very poor language and communication abilities.
“Nem’s paintings speak for him about his feelings for his familyand his surroundings,” said Nguyen Lan Phuong, Nem’s mother.
Phuong called it a real mercy when her son found his own methodof communication.
One painting, oneunique work
Nem has created thousands of paintings depicting such subjectsas the universe, cities, schools, family, entertainment and friends, amongother topics, said Ha Dinh Long, Nem’s father.
There are about 500 of alphabets, 300 of hospitals, 600 ofcinemas, 200 of universes, cities, classrooms, landscapes, cooking, family andportraits, Long said.
The father made joke of the volume of Nem's art works, saying that "they outweigh him."
Long, 46, is an architect. He discovered Nem’s then-curiosityand later-passion for drawing.
“Nem showed his interest in my designing works when he wasaround three years old, so I started teaching him how to draw simple shapeswith a pencil,” Long told Vietnam News Agency.
Noticing how Nem improved emotionally with drawing, his parentsdecided to send him to art classes. Little did they know they had justunleashed their son’s hidden creativity.
“Nem showed his interest in my designing works when he wasaround three years old, so I started teaching him how to draw simple shapeswith a pencil,” Long told Vietnam News Agency.
Noticing how Nem improved emotionally with drawing, his parentsdecided to send him to art classes. Little did they know they had justunleashed their son’s hidden creativity.
Photographer Debbie Rasiel took a photo of Nem's family at the Picturing Autism project (Source: courtesy of Nem's parents) Nem learnt about colours and shapes so quick that it surprisedboth his parents and teachers.
“Nem’s paintings are very different even when they feature thesame subject,” Nguyen Hang Nga, Nem’s art teacher said.
Sometimes, Nga herself is overwhelmed by the infinite creativityof her student.
Nem has a shocking left-handed drawing speed. “It seems to me he doesn’tneed a second to think of what or how to draw whenever he takes the brush,” Ngasaid.
“We didn’t know our Nem would be so passionate about drawing andpainting,” Long said.
He and his wife just hoped that drawing would give him joy and comfort.
Little mind connects tothe world
Nem’s paintings have been introduced to the public via numerousexhibitions. The first “A Little World” made headlines nationwide in 2014.
By telling Nem’s story via his paintings, Long and his wifewanted to send a message to the community, particularly their peers that eachautistic child is a complete little world, and parents should help connect itwith the big world.
“Nem remained naïve and unaffected after the exhibition whileour lives changed a bit,” Long said.
Little Nem became a widely known autistic artist. His paintingsand the exhibition contributed to changing the public’s view of autism.
“Many people suddenly showed love for our son. Parents ofautistic children contacted us to learn from our experience,” Long said, adding that they were invited to numerous international and local autism-related events.
Nem’s paintings were most recently displayed at the “Iuiuiu” (cute) exhibition in Hanoi throughout April.
The event showcased art works of many autistic children as part of activities to observe World Autism Awareness Day of the United Nations (April 2).
Photos of autistic artists at the exhibition (Video: Phuong Vu)
Nguyen Dinh Nguyen, the President of Tohe Social Company - theorganiser of the “Iuiuiu” exhibition has a special love for autistic artists.
His company has hosted numerous exhibitions to bring art createdby autistic artists to the public nationwide.
“We call them ‘little artists’ no matter how old they are,because autistic people have child-like minds,” Nguyen said.
His company has hosted numerous exhibitions to bring art createdby autistic artists to the public nationwide.
“We call them ‘little artists’ no matter how old they are,because autistic people have child-like minds,” Nguyen said.
Nguyen Dinh Nguyen, Tohe President and his wife co-found Tohe Social Company. They hold a paper saying 'LIKE!' when talk about autistic artists. (Source: VNA) Nguyen, a graphic artist, is a big fan of Nem’s paintings.
“Watching Nem drawing, I keep wondering how one can draw withoutany hesitation and interruption like that,” Nguyen said.
“I feel like images and ideas are endless in Nem’s mind, theyjust come out through his hand.”
Nem also has an online gallery on Facebook, an account which hasthousands of friends and followers. Every post gets hundreds of likes, viewsand positive comments.
“We treasure every moment and effort of Nem,” Phuong said,adding they set up Nem Gallery as an online diary for Nem.
Let’s dance in the rain
It was painful for his parents when Nem was diagnosed withTurner syndrome (a sex chromosomal abnormality) when he was one year old, andan autism spectrum disorder soon after.
“I’ve chosen not to wait until the rain stops, but learn todance in the rain and enjoy it,” Phuong said, comparing Nem’s condition withdownpours.
Nem grew up with shortages in terms of physical capabilities andbehaviour in comparison with other children his age in spite of receivingnumerous treatments since his diagnosis.
The parents described their seven-year old son as a bag withholes of different shapes and sizes. They used to try to mend it and felthopeless during the process.
“Our son seemed to shut himself off from the outside world,including us,” Phuong recalled.
It was painful for his parents when Nem was diagnosed withTurner syndrome (a sex chromosomal abnormality) when he was one year old, andan autism spectrum disorder soon after.
“I’ve chosen not to wait until the rain stops, but learn todance in the rain and enjoy it,” Phuong said, comparing Nem’s condition withdownpours.
Nem grew up with shortages in terms of physical capabilities andbehaviour in comparison with other children his age in spite of receivingnumerous treatments since his diagnosis.
The parents described their seven-year old son as a bag withholes of different shapes and sizes. They used to try to mend it and felthopeless during the process.
“Our son seemed to shut himself off from the outside world,including us,” Phuong recalled.
Nem calls Phuong, his mother, his BFF (best friend forever. (Source: courtesy of Nem's parents) Phuong started to join autism-related classes,experience-sharing groups, and consultation sessions, which gradually helpedher better connect with Nem.
“I suddenly realised my son is not a holed bag, but a beautifulnet bag,” Phuong said, adding they just need to choose the right things to putin the bag.
While the mother thanked the father for discovering Nem’sdrawing talents, the father said it was Phuong who has helped Nem make it herewith her daily care and patience.
“Somehow, she became wise about autism, in terms of connectionand treatment of different methods,” Long said about his wife.
“Our Nem now has much better awareness of the world,” Long saidin delight.
Phuong, 43, is a lecturer at the National University of CivilEngineering.
She is on her four-year PhD study in Belgium to learn howto build autism-friendly houses as part of her efforts to care about autism,and Nem’s future.
The parents believe that there is no miracle if no effort ismade.-VNA
While the mother thanked the father for discovering Nem’sdrawing talents, the father said it was Phuong who has helped Nem make it herewith her daily care and patience.
“Somehow, she became wise about autism, in terms of connectionand treatment of different methods,” Long said about his wife.
“Our Nem now has much better awareness of the world,” Long saidin delight.
Phuong, 43, is a lecturer at the National University of CivilEngineering.
She is on her four-year PhD study in Belgium to learn howto build autism-friendly houses as part of her efforts to care about autism,and Nem’s future.
The parents believe that there is no miracle if no effort ismade.-VNA
VNA
