DAPA Inclusive Art Exhibition

We are excited to present DAPA’s Multicultural Inclusion Arts Exhibition, a vibrant showcase celebrating the creativity of neurodivergent and multicultural artists. This exhibition highlights the incredible talents of two autistic artists alongside passionate volunteer artists, bringing together a diverse and inspiring collection of artwork.

Featuring Autistic Savant Artists:

Bowman Yu
Ping Lian Yeak

Showcasing creative works from:

Janet Chuah from Malaysia
Masayo Colley from Japan
Peter Li from China

This exhibition is a testament to the power of inclusion and the beauty of diverse artistic expressions. Join us at NSW Parliament House to support these talented artists and experience their inspiring work.

About the Artists:

Bowman Yu

Bowman Yeochung Yu is a remarkable neurodivergent artist who found his voice through visual storytelling, despite facing challenges with speech from a young age.

His rapid-fire 30 sketches of Martin Scorsese movie stars, completed in just 30 minutes, were featured at Sydney’s Mori Gallery during the AART.BOXX 09 exhibition. In 2011, his oil painting of Surfers Paradise was selected by Access Arts Queensland for the Wataboshi Festival in Bangkok, and he also exhibited with the Chinese Parents Association, earning praise from several Chinese-language publications.

Bowman’s work has since been showcased in numerous exhibitions and charity auctions. He participated in the Artabilities Exhibition at Gallery Lane Cove in 2012 and last exhibited alongside Ping Lian Yeak in 2018.

Contact

Phone (Vincent Yu – Father): +61 417 418 180
Instagram: bowmanyu768
Email: bowman@citisystems.com.au

Ping Lian Yeak

Ping Lian Yeak is an internationally recognised autistic savant artist known for his exceptional talent despite severe limitations in social, behavioural, and communication skills. Initially unable to hold a pencil or use scissors, Ping Lian’s fine motor skills were developed through tracing and colouring exercises, which led to his discovery of a deep passion for drawing at age 8.

His art is celebrated for its imaginative power, demonstrating an ability to transform the everyday into the extraordinary.

Ping Lian’s journey has been covered in TV documentaries, exhibitions, and books, and his work continues to inspire hope worldwide.

Contact

Website: https://www.pinglian.com
Instagram: pinglianyeak
Facebook: pinglianyeak
Phone (Sarah S H Lee – Mother): +61 401 051 351
Email: sarahshlee888@yahoo.com

Janet Chuah

Janet Chuah, an Australian artist who grew up in Malaysia. She was inspired by her late uncle’s artwork and nurtured by her secondary school teacher, Ms. Kwai Fong Tang. Her artistic journey draws influence from Impressionists like Monet and Van Gogh, Renaissance masters like Botticelli and Caravaggio, and modern icons like Kandinsky and Picasso.

After a career in nursing, Janet returned to painting under the mentorship of Ms. Teresa Castellanos, developing her technique across various mediums.

For this exhibition, her work reflects the spirit of Malaysia, blending impressionism with intuition to evoke positive emotions and celebrate the beauty of the world.

Contact

Facebook: Janet Lei Chin Chuah
Instagram: Janetchuahart101
Email: chuah.leichin@gmail.com
Phone: +61 416 191 947

Masayo Colley

Masayo Colley is a Sumie and visual artist with a design degree from Japan and a Master’s in Design from UNSW, Australia. Deeply inspired by Sumie, the traditional Japanese art of ink painting. Masayo’s work is grounded in Zen philosophy.

She is devoted to capturing the expressive essence of each brushstroke, believing the movement and emotion behind Sumie cannot be replicated digitally.

Passionate about preserving and sharing this art form, Masayo instructs at Sydney high schools and regularly hosts workshops and presentations to introduce others to the beauty and philosophy of Sumie.

Contact

Phone: +61 433 241 511
Instagram: art_by_masayo
Email: artlab.colley@gmail.com
Website: www.loveartlab.com.au

Songshi Li

Songshi Li (李松石) is an Australian-Chinese artist and a disciple of renowned painter Gao Peilin. With over 50 years of experience, he has exhibited widely, both in group and solo shows, earning several awards globally.

He is a Director at the China Academy of Painting and Calligraphy, President of the Chinese Traditional Culture Association of Australia and an Art Consultant at the Yanhuang Academy of Art (Australia). His accolades include the International Artist Award (China), the Hundred Outstanding Artists Award (Hawaii Art Exhibition), First Prize at the Louvre Brussels Hall Art Exhibition (France), and the NSW Live Painting Championship (2019).

Songshi Li’s work is held in prestigious collections including the Australian Embassy and Consulate in Sydney, private collectors in the US, Canada, Singapore and Hong Kong.

Contact

Phone: +61 411 789 238
Email: 7011andy.li@gmail.com

Together, their diverse perspectives offer an inspiring and thought-provoking collection that celebrates individual expression and shared humanity. Join us at NSW Parliament House to honour these exceptional artists and experience their powerful work.