Charity supporting the special artists to unleash creativity

A local charity provides professional art training for people with intellectual disabilities and mental health conditions with some of their creations shortlisted for Art Basel.

Hoi-lam suffers from moderate intellectual disability and autism.

Though not a person of many words, she perceives and connects with the world deeply. In Hoi-lam's eyes, people, buildings and everyday objects all radiate in vibrant, rainbow colors.

Doesn't the Palace Museum in Beijing look far more magical when reimagined in a splash of rainbow hues? Vibrant palettes and dense clusters of polka dots form Hoi-lam's signature style.

Every single stroke has brought its own reward: her masterpiece was shortlisted for Art Basel. She also took part in Hong Kong's Intangible Cultural Heritage Month, where her artwork graced iconic local trams with a rollout of her exhibition. Tung Wah Group of Hospitals' Senior Art Development Officer says Hoi-lam's rich sense of colour is inspired by the morning cartoons she watches every day.

In the beginning, Hoi-lam preferred using pencils to repeatedly etch dots and lines. What they've observed was that through these forceful movements and strokes, she was releasing and expressing her sensory stimulation needs.

The Tung Wah Group of Hospitals established this art development studio three years ago to offer professional guidance to individuals with intellectual and mental health challenges and now has ten thriving artists. They include Lung-man, who has successfully stepped out of the shadow of schizophrenia. His work has transformed from relying solely on collage and somber, muted tones into the radiant, vivid tapestries he creates today. He says he feels as though emotions and soul are gradually healing.

The charity has also turned some of these artists' paintings into commercial merchandise to boost the painters' income, which are available across various bookstores and the organisation's official website.