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'Jane': When fashion and an autistic child's paintings blend
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Model Olga Lydia (right) poses with one of the looks from Adraworld collaborating with Jane Gabriella. (JP/Ni Nyoman Wira)
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draworld, a fashion brand founded by young designer Hayuning “Adra” Sumbadra, collaborated with Jane Gabriella, a young abstract painter with autism, in a fashion show titled "Jane", as part of the 10th Autism Awareness Festival (AAF).
Held on April 7 at Campus B of the London School of Public Relations (LSPR) in Central Jakarta, the show displayed 22 out of 30 looks that were inspired by 10 of Jane’s paintings, meaning that the artworks were implemented into the outfits through digital prints on fabric.
“When I saw Jane’s paintings for the first time, I felt like I needed to make something out of them,” said Adra during the show. “Her paintings have stories. […] If we look at them closely, we learn whether they are about animals, scenery or a deep feeling.”
But behind the collaboration, Adra herself had a personal reason; her autistic younger sibling passed away at the age of four.
Jane’s artworks have their own quirks. Since she began to paint at the age of 10, Jane has used her fingers and palms to paint. “Aside from autism, Jane also has very slow motor skills,” said Rosa, Jane’s mother, adding that usually Jane makes one painting per week. “Lately we have given her palette knives, but Jane feels she can express more by using her fingers.”
Read also: Quality and effective autism treatment only possible with staff training
During the production process, which took about three weeks, Jane had requested Adra not to cut her paintings. “So, all the looks used full paintings, no matter what the shape of the canvas was,” Adra said, adding that she wore an outfit with a Lembayung (violet) painting imprint.
Soon Adraworld will release look-books for the collection. They will be offered through auction and all revenues will be donated to foundations for children with autism.
Prita Kemal Gani, founder and director of the LSPR Jakarta, said the festival was an opportunity for children with autism to show their talent, either in music, poetry or writing.
Prita said the LSPR was an autism-friendly campus as it had classes for children with autism. It has taught over 3,500 teachers to identify children with autism within a classroom, how to handle them and how to manage the other children so they will accept each other.
For Prita, it is important to understand children with autism. “Actually we can’t feel pity for them, but we have to accept them,” Prita said, adding that they are more sensitive than other people. “There are many things we can do – if we’re waiters, if we know there is a family with autistic children, we can place them in an area that is not too bright.”
In 2008 the first AAF was held by the London School Center of Autism Awareness (LSCAA) to celebrate World Autism Day every April 2. It will stage a series of events, including the Pentas Seni art performance on April 15 at Campus B of the LSPR Jakarta. (wng)
