WINDHOEK, July 8 — An exhibition opened Thursday evening in the Namibian capital of Windhoek to raise awareness about autism spectrum disorder in Namibia.
Curated by local artists Madelein Stoffberg and Takudzwa Mukesi, the exhibition features 80 art pieces, ranging from drawings, poetry, oil painting, to spray painting. Some of the artworks depict faces of people with open eyes but not smiling, representing the many shades and inner world of individuals with autism.
The artists decided to focus on autism earlier this year after reflecting on their experiences and realizing that it is a common social trait in Namibia, affecting many individuals.
For Mukesi, this is meant to fully demonstrate and remind society that people with autism observe and internalize, even though they may not always express it through smiling.
Stoffberg mentioned that other artworks feature scenes of plants, nature, and flowers to symbolize hope, love, and a call to action for inclusivity and shunning discrimination.
The exhibition also aims to convey goodwill and advocate for the care of autistic children and their families.
“It was important to reflect on my journey as a mom to an autistic child and an open platform to address the challenges faced by individuals with autism spectrum disorder in Namibia,” Stoffberg said.
The exhibition also provided a platform for people with autism to express themselves through art painting on wallpaper and dialogue as part of the exhibition.
Petra Dillman, founder and director of the Autism Association of Namibia, highlighted that autism spectrum disorder is not widely understood in society, making the exhibition an opportunity to shed light on this phenomenon.
“Our goal is to promote the well-being of people with autism. Thus, the exhibition aids efforts to ensure inclusivity of education provision, socialization, psychological and medical care amid challenges,” she said.
Meanwhile, proceeds from the exhibition will be donated to Dagbreek School for the intellectually impaired and the Autism Association of Namibia. The exhibition is running from July 4 to 18 at Old Brewers in Windhoek.
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