Back to Search
Syed Omer Asim was 8 months old when his parents first noticed his fascination with colours. By fifteen months Omer was drawing shapes and mixing beautiful colour combinations, and between the ages of five and eleven he was drawing clear figures with recognizable facial features. Diagnosed with autism at the age of four, Omer has relied on his incredible artwork as a form of self expression and communication.
He is now a 16-year-old Grade 11 student in the Skills To Enhance Personal Success (S.T.E.P.S) program at Belle River District High School. After recognizing his outstanding artistic ability, his parents hired a dedicated art teacher to refine his potential and his talent has flourished. Omer’s paintings often feature elements of nature, human beings and various animals.
According to Omer’s parents, “Naturally, his verbal expression is severely limited, but his access to the imaginative realm is limitless. His creative, artistic and God-given gift affords him an opportunity to visualise the incredible quintessence of beauty displayed in colour. Omer is unable to make independent decisions; as parents, we are honoured to be responsible for promoting his passion, architectural intelligence, and radiant skill.”
Omer has won the 2018 Fit week Poster Contest, the 2019 Lakeshore Mayor Arts Award, Canada Day Art Competition and the 2018 Earth Day Poster contest. For the next few weeks, the GECDSB is thrilled to display a collection of Omer’s work in the lobby and throughout the administration offices. It’s exciting for us to be able to showcase the incredible talent that exists in GECDSB schools. To follow Omer’s journey, he can be found on Instagram.
Subscribe