The AuTypical-DMG art auction is here! This auction has been curated with an ethical purpose and the proceeds will be used to create awareness, opportunities as also change attitudes and transform lives of children and young adults with autism.

This auction is unique in many ways. For the first time, creations by autistic artists represented by AuTypical is part of a collection alongside Contemporaries and Masters.It will be held in New Delhi at the The Lalit on February 12, 2023. Please bid generously, as your participation will help us to take the art by Indian Autistic Artists overseas to the Outside Art Fairs in Paris and New York. The world should see and buy the works of our Autistic Artists. It will be a great contribution to the skill development mission of India.

This auction is also the culmination of the prestigious 31st Ravi Jain Memorial Foundation Exhibition 2022. In its 31st edition, Dhoomimal Gallery (DMG) took the exceptional step of rooting for Inclusion. The accompanying Ravi Jain Memorial Foundation Awards for Upcoming Young Artists, an important event in the art calendar of our city, Delhi also took place. From the AuTypical cohort, two artists were chosen for a special mention by an esteemed jury. This has encouraged us greatly to work towards opportunities for Inclusion in the conventional and professional art sphere. We are enthused by the response that the artists on the autism spectrum have received.

The Hon’ble Union Minister of State (MoS) for Skill Development & Entrepreneurship, Electronics and Information Technology, Shri Rajeev Chandrasekhar who opened the Exhibition on September 29, 2022 was greatly moved by our joint effort and he tweeted about it.Likewise was the reaction of Distinguised Artist, Anjolie E. Menon who gave away the awards. Art critics, connoisseurs and dignitaries who visited the gallery, loved the works and commended the initiative. Media reporting was also extensive.

This event spanning nearly a month achieved many firsts. For the first time, the creations by Artists on the Autism Spectrum were integrated in this show and were presented in the professional grade. Globally, there are few such examples. Other than Outsider Art Fairs (OAF) held in Western capitals, Autistic artists do not get a mainstream forum to exhibit their work.

Now we proceed to the auctions in the spirit of public service. I am delighted that we partnered DMG for their flagship event. Working for autistic children and families, I am always on the lookout for possibilities, methods and means to improve work and life goals for the community. I look forward to working with them.At https://AuTypical.in we strive consistently to showcase the abilities of autistic children and young adults in the field of art from all over India. As a non-profit, public purpose digital platform, besides creating autism awareness and acceptance, our aim has always been to connect our wonderfully Talented Autistic artists with patrons and to demonstrate that they can do meaningful work and lead quality lives.

A big step has been taken to demonstrate skill development of children and youth with Special Education Needs. The marginal is being made mainstream. One of the most side-lined, invisible and vulnerable communities is being given a chance for its place under the sun. It has created a different kind of conversation around Autism: how it impacts not just the affected individual but families, the lifelong deficits that one has to struggle with and triumph over in varied measures and most importantly the access and support structures that are required for autistic people. The Hon’ble Vice President of India, Shri Jagdeep Dhankar tweeted about the need for an autism friendly ecosystem after I called on him to present the achievements of the Ravi Jain Memorial Foundation Exhibition.It has been extremely encouraging for our participants and families. Therefore, I appeal to you once again to please come forward and bid at the auction. Your generosity will help us support autistic artists.

Over the years many young artists who were launched by DMG became big names in the field. Going forward, I am hopeful that the gallery will work unceasingly to provide opportunities for artists on the autism spectrum. On this occasion, I would like to announce the forthcoming launch of Higashi Autism School (HAS) in New Delhi which will open soon for admissions. This will be the third Higashi School, after Tokyo and Boston and has been established in collaboration with Musashino Higashi Gakuen School (MHS), Japan. Like the other two Higashi Schools, HAS is also based on the Daily Life Therapy® method of Dr Kiyo Kitahara, a unique pedagogy for educating autistic children through repetitious practice and laborious teaching efforts.

HAS is a campus based, multi-department day boarding school which will undertake subject teaching mediated through Individualized Education Plans (IEP), specialized therapies for communication challenges/disorders and occupational performance and life skills program. This four-stage school is envisaged to grow into a Centre of Excellence for Vocational Education and Skill Development of Autistic children particularly in the field of Fine Arts and IT Skills.

I look forward to a steadfast collaboration with DMG for the nurturance of several autistic artists.

Dr. Rashmi Das
Chair, AuTypical.in