"WINDOWS OF GENIUS" (September 2007 - October 2007) Artwork of the Prodigious Savant attracts hundreds from around the world to Fond du Lac, Wisconsin.
Ping Lian's work "Ubudiah Mosque I" was sold for RM100.000.00 to an anonymous bidder at the Grand Auction of the RDA Charity Ball in aid of the Riding for the Dsabled Association, Malaysia...20 Nov 2004.
I was introduced to the extraordinary art work of Ping Lian Yeak by Dr. Laurence A. Becker. Ping Lian is a 12 year old boy from Malaysia with autism. The art work of autistic savants has always intrigued me. I have studied and followed the work of Nadia (Ukraine) who began drawing at the age of 3, Stephen Wiltshire (London) who began drawing at the age of 5 and Jonathan Lerman (New York) who began drawing at age 10.
All of these artists share the autistic spectrum disorder characteristic of an impoverished linguistic ability. Approximately 10% of autistic children have savant ability. Certain savant children whose verbal behavior skills are extremely limited can draw objects and even panoramic views from memory. Such drawings often reveal a preciseness of features and eye for detail that is not exhibited when contrasted with the drawing capabilities of typically developing children in the same age group.
Ping Lian began drawing exquisite works at the age of 8. In March 2003, Sarah wrote in her personal diary “I know he will be an artist one day.” His work is prodigious and unprecedented regarding the vast array of portrayals from dogs, roosters, horses, fish, flowers and people; to architectural structures in both black and white extremely detailed drawings and colorful intricate landscapes.
I would like to acknowledge Ping Lian’s mother Sarah SH Lee who has donated artworks to various special needs populations for their specific fund raising efforts. Our mutual mission and dedication is in creating awareness in the general population not to “dis’ the ability of individuals.
Ping Lian's art work is featured on the cover of the April 2007 issue of
Windover Center for the Arts; in Fond du Lac, Wisconsin - September 7 - October 12, 2007
If you would like to contact me regarding artwork by an individual with autism, e-mail me at
Click here for a wonderful article on "The Portrayal of Disability Through Film" by
Other Artists with Autism:
Gregory Blackstock
Susan Brown
Seth Chwast
Temple Grandin
Amanda LaMunyon
Jonathan Lerman
Jessica Park
