Artistic triumph against odds

As the city celebrates World Autism Month, the autistic artist Orko’s paintings reveal his personal journey and brings forth the therapeutic role of art.

Apparently, it was a water buffalo that taught Buddha the beauty of self and inner strength. Inspired by the same gentle eyes of the animal laced with perpetual sadness, Orko Roshan Roy,  a 26-year-old autistic artist’s  paintings and sketches are adoring the Cottage studio in Mumbai. With over 50 paintings and sketches by Orko, the month-long exhibition titled Artistic - Autistic at the studio intends to create awareness about autism through art.

Having started painting and sketching at the age of 10, Orko overcame his autism induced  motor control deficits by his passion for art. He showed artistic tendencies when he first sketched a buffalo followed by a car and other animals. “I like painting animals because they are kind. Unlike humans, they don’t hurt anyone and are harmless,” says Orko who has been awarded the second prize at the International Naturally Autistic People Awards in Edinburgh.

In a variety of acrylic, water and oil colour paintings, Orko’s art is a wondrous glimpse into the soul of the subject seen through his unique eyes. His paintings – majorly buffaloes, dogs and roosters peep into the kindness and the meaning of life. “With my painting, I try to find an answer for those who deserve a better life,” explains the artist. Interestingly, there is also a painting of a girl called Devyani. Orko explains her as his best friend from childhood who doesn’t live in the same building anymore. “All the paintings are my emotions and  thoughts on life. I have experienced a lot of things since my childhood and I draw everything on canvas. I don’t have many friends and people leave but that’s how life is,” he muses. Orko’s work seems more than art, rather they depict a story of triumph against great odds.

For Orko, it takes less than five minutes to paint his observations on the canvas. However, it is a time-consuming task for him to draw something that he has to copy from the Internet. “When it comes to looking at some work and then paint, it takes time. I do think and imagine but it is only about cars and animals,” explains the artist. He also adds that painting helps him release pain and that works as a therapy for him. “People don’t want to be friends with a person like me. Painting helps me release my pain and that is a therapy for me. In fact, at this stage I also don’t enjoy sitting and talking with normal people because they don’t consider me part of their group,” he rues.

This is not the first time that Orko’s work has been displayed and wowed the visitors. His previous exhibitions at Nehru Centre and Jehangir Art Gallery too turned out to be a great success. His work has also been featured in the book Drawing Autism which is an international compilation of work by globally renowned autistic artists.

A student at Victoria Memorial School, Orko is in class 10 and is preparing for his exams next month. Ask if he is ready for the exams, Orko sounds apprehensive and says, “I get fits anytime and it is disturbing my studies. As of now, I am busy with my computer classes.”

While autism includes challenges with social skills, repetitive behaviours, speech and non-verbal communication, there seems to be a positive aspect too. In a unique positive trait that is rare among typical individuals, Orko spends his time, energy and thoughts to master his area of interest – painting and sketching. “I say nothing to anyone who comes and yells at me or doesn’t behave properly. I just paint all the time so I can improve on my skills,” he insists.

Obsessed with cars and bikes, Orko’s next ambition is to learn driving and traveling to the interiors of the country. He also plans to paint Omni and Sumo cars followed by some human portraits. “I want to learn to ride a bike and a car and want to draw human portraits,” he reveals and adds that his biggest ambition is to paint all the slums and give employment to other people, “I want to give employment to all so they can study like any other child.” When asked if there is something that he expects from the society he insists, “People have to cooperate with autistic people and help them pursue what they want. Art can help reduce stress and every autistic child should be introduced to some form of art.” Anything that he would like to contribute? “I want to make cartoon movies that talk about how people should behave with people in the autistic spectrum,” he expresses with innocence.