'Every cat needs a home': Autistic artist raises funds with 60 cat-inspired works

Lifelong cat lover and artist The Unskilled Boy is celebrating the nation's 60th birthday with 60 paintings paying tribute to feline friends.

Alex Lim, a 20-year-old autistic artist, launched a new project on Aug 8, featuring a month-long online presentation of 60 special feline-inspired paintings, in support of Cat Welfare Society (CWS).

Up to 40% of proceeds from pieces sold on the website and commissioned works will go to CWS, with the remainder going to Alex to cover his labour and costs.

In addition to the 20 paintings launched on Aug 8, the remaining artworks will be progressively released, with the final 20 revealed on Aug 29.

In his first collaboration with CWS in 2021, Alex raised more than $2,000 through the sale of more than 40 artworks and aims to surpass this with his latest project.

This year, he has upscaled the project with 60 artworks on wood panels and linen canvases in different sizes, with the smallest measuring 20cm x 20cm.

Alex's artworks, which have a childlike charm, depict felines of all shapes and sizes, from scenes of a cat sitting attentively at a dining table, to one poised beside unraveling balls of yarn.

"In an aquarium" shows a cat diving into an underwater world, while hitching a ride on a Bluefin Trevally. "No bath, please" depicts a comically defiant cat clinging to a ledge above a bathtub, refusing to get in.

Painting from a young age

From a young age, Alex expressed an interest in art, beginning with drawings of flags with vibrant patterns and colours.

While attending a mainstream pre-school, his teacher noticed that he kept to himself instead of interacting with peers, which led to his parents bringing him to a doctor who diagnosed him with autism.

When Alex was 11, his primary school teacher took note of his watercolour abstract pieces and saw the potential to gradually develop his skills into fine art.

Art became a soothing mechanism for the young artist, said his father Ivan, a 59-year-old musician. "Art helps him to express his emotions, especially when he was young. He would draw sad, angry or confused faces to say how he feels."

The New Paper was unable to interview Alex as he finds speaking to people "really challenging", said Ivan. His mother added that he "freezes up and gets nervous, and goes away".

Dr Nah Yong Hwee of the National Institute of Education (NIE), who specialises in early detection of autism spectrum disorder (ASD), told TNP : "It's important to recognise that ASD is a spectrum where each individual has a unique profile of strengths and challenges."

Individuals with ASD might also excel in other areas like arts or technology. "With the right support and opportunities, they can thrive and make meaningful contributions to society," he added.

Support from his parents also played a role in Alex's foray into art - his mother Cara van Miriah, a 54-year-old freelance consultant, is also a painter and sculptor.

"We didn't really have to encourage him a lot - it was quite a natural thing for him to draw and paint. It's just something he enjoys very much," Ivan told TNP.

"Cara would show him how to use the material and then leave him to experiment with these. She would also guide him from time to time and help him refine his technique," he added.

Animal inspiration

Alex's current artistic inspiration is Carter, a 15-month-old stray adopted by the family in May. Carter was also Alex's motivation for choosing CWS as the project's beneficiary.

"I saw Carter's photo before he was fostered… he was skinny and small. It made me sad," said Alex in a statement.

"Every cat needs love just like we do, and my paintings reimagine all the cats living in loving homes, and having fun. I want to do my small part in helping them through my work."

CWS president Thenuga Vijakumar affirmed this sentiment: "His works featuring rescued cats prove that art can be quiet but powerful in driving change."