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At the age of 8 (mid-2002), Ping Lian out-grew tracing and
seemed to suddenly acquire an obsession in drawing. The
transition from tracing to drawing happened almost instantly.
One day after he had finished eating an ice-cream cone, he just
started drawing the pictures that were printed on the ice cream
wrapper. He has not stopped drawing since then. The quality of
his drawing has rapidly advanced and his rate of progress is
fascinating.
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March 2003 - Ping Lian’s mother wrote
in her diary “I want to develop Ping Lian to be an Artist, I
know he will be an Artist one day”….. And I get Ping Lian
to say “I Want to be an Artist” every day as a way to
“brainwash” him…. |
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Feb 2004- Ping Lian’s father passed away due to a sudden heart
attack. Ping Lian not only lost his dad but his only male
friend.
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At the age of 11- In November 2004, Ping Lian's work, "Ubudiah
Mosque 1" was donated to Riding for the Disabled Association,
Malaysia for charity auction. It sold for MYR100,000.00 (100% of
the proceeds were donated).
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TV Coverage, exhibitions & books:
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At age 11 - Filmed for Korea
Broadcasting System’s 60-minutes Savant Syndrome
documentary alongside Kim Peek (real Rain Man) and Kodi Lee.
& Eve’s Diary
(TV8 - Malaysia) featured Ping Lian and his solo
exhibition at ABWM House.
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At age 12 - Focus Productions from UK,
filmed Ping Lian at his exhibition at Henry Gregg Gallery,
Brooklyn, New York for documentary,"Painting the
Minda" a I hour documentary for Channel 4,
also aired on Four Corners, ABC TV Australia, April 2007, and
Scandinavia.
May 2006- Ping Lian’s family moved to Sydney.
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At age 13 – EBS from Korea filmed Ping Lian
with Dr Darold Treffert in a documentary entitled "Uncovering
the Secret of Childhood" during the "Windows of Genius: Artworks
of the Prodigious Savant" art exhibition in Wisconsin, USA.
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At age 14 – “Don’t ‘dis’ the
ability” - Ping Lian’s artworks were featured
at the United Nations Headquarters in New York (April 2008) in
honor of the inaugural World Autism Awareness Day.
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~ At Age 15, (August
09) -Official Opening of his personal gallery
in Malaysia – “Ping Lian @ The Art Commune” featuring a
permanent showcase of his works in Malaysia, established
by The Art Commune and supported by JPMorgan
Chase Foundation (for 2009) in collaboration with ABWM.~ Mediacorp
Pte Ltd from Singapore filmed Ping
Lian at the official opening of the gallery for a
documentary, “Asia’s Wonder Kids” for
Channel NewsAsia (CNA
International and CNA Singapore).
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~ At age
16 – Featured in three books that were published in
the USA – ‘Islands of Genius’ by Dr. Darold Treffert, ‘Real
Reading 3 – Creating an Authentic Reading experience’ – English
text book published by PEARSON Longman (one
chapter about Ping Lian), and
‘Drawing Autism’ by Jill Mullin. Solo art exhibition at The
Malaysia Tourism Centre (Matic), organized by The Ministry of
Tourism in collaboration with The Art Commune.
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~ At age 17 –
Featured in the book published in Korea, titled ‘Knowledge’, which
also included the Real Rain Man (Kim Peek), Albert Einstein,
Abraham Lincoln, Warren Edward Buffett, William H. Gate, etc. Also
featured in the book “Artism: The Art of Autism” (U.S. 2011).
Participated in exhibitions “The Genius of Autism” at Carnegie
Hall (New York), “Strokes of Genius” at The Salmagundi Art Society
in New York and “Savant Art” at The Rocks Pop - Up Project at
Sydney.
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~ At age 18
– Ping Lian’s story was featured in one chapter of the
book “Adventures in Autism” by the master of motivation,
Peter A. LaPorta (USA).
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April 2, 2012
– his mother Sarah SH Lee was awarded a certificate of
recognition for her pioneering efforts to “Train the
Talent” signed by Temple Grandin and presented at The
Strokes of Genius World Autism Awareness ceremony at United
Nations Plaza.
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~ 2014
– “Ping Lian @ The Art Commune” relocated to “Ping Lian Gallery
@ The Settlement Hotel”, Melaka (In 2020 the gallery closed;
hotel was sold). Dec 2014- “Architectural Impressions”, a month
long art exhibition of Ping Lian’s Architectural Landscapes
artworks at Port Authority, New York City. Participated in art
exhibition at Ewha Womans University Art Hall, Korea. |
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~ 2016 & 2017 – Exhibited at Agora
Gallery; a contemporary fine art gallery in New York's Chelsea
art district. Featured in the book “The Prodigy’s Cousin”
by Joanne Ruthsatz and Kimberly Stephens (USA) and "Exploring
Giftedness and Autism" by Trevor Clark (Australia). 2017-
“Very Inspiring People”, Documentary - RTM (Radio
Television Malaysia).
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~ 2021 –
Featured in the book “The Savant Syndrome: Intellectual
Impairment, Astonishing Condition" by Osvaldo Cairo
Battistutti (Mexico) "The Covid Canvas: Artist
Profiles and Interviews of the Pandemic Era" by Rosa C. Martinez
(USA). "FIERCE LOVE and ART", Documentary (USA).
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Ping Lian continues to create
magnificent works of art using charcoal, acrylic, water color, ink
and oil. He also continues to donate his works to organisations
and charities. His art works have been featured in exhibitions in
the United States, UK, Australia, Germany, Japan, Korea, Singapore
and Malaysia. |
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More
views & comments about Ping Lian:
- “Yeak’s works in Through My Eyes are proof
of an extraordinary ability that is being channeled
through a proper medium…. Overall, Yeak is diverse in
his approach to art. His innate talent is simply
amazing” – 17 Sept 2004 Geetha Krishnan Art StarMetro
- "…Watching this young boy create his art was an
unequivocally amazing experience. Albert
Einstein once said “True art is characterized by an
irresistible urge in the creative artist”. He was
speaking about Ping Lian Yeak! Ping Lian
possesses this “urge”. His demonstration while
creating an acrylic painting was astonishing… His
paintings, tends to encompass hidden aspects or forms,
not initially seen or noticed upon first view.
His use of color and his creation of intricate lines
result in images within images, that often appear
unlimited on canvas. Each stroke appeared
effortlessly calculated requiring measurement, memory,
imitation, uniqueness and genius!” – Sept 2007 Dr.
Rosa C. Martinez
https://strokesofgeniusinc.org watching
Ping Lian painting live at the “Windows of
Genius: Artworks of the Prodigious Savant”
- “ ..This is not just an exhibition of
remarkable artworks but it is about the sharing of
possibilities, it is hope, it is about aspirations,
struggles and victories...” - Yvonne Hon, gallery
owner describes Ping Lian’s solo exhibition -- "My
Journey.....” at The Art Commune,
Malaysia, Jan 2008
- “Ping Lian’s gift is a gift from God. I thank
God for this miracle gift and the many “miracles
happening” in our lives. I also thank God for the
special favors he has granted to Ping Lian’s Artistic
Journey…. Ping Lian’s life is a testimony to my
quotation that I wrote many years ago:
“IT DOES NOT MATTER WHO YOU ARE NOW, IT IS WHO
YOU WANT TO BE AND WHO YOU BECOME THAT MATTERS. Make
Decisions AND
Take ACTION NOW!” --
Jan 2008 Ping Lian’s mother
- ....Ping Lian is blessed with an
exceptional gift. Through his art, Ping Lian has
touched the lives of many people around the world.
His work inspire hope and reminds us of the
extraordinary heights a child can reach with a
family’s love and dedication. Ping Lian’s widely
exhibited works convey a powerful message …..” Clement Chew, Senior Country Officer)
J.P. Morgan Chase, Malaysia, 2009.
- “… Although speech may not come easily to Ping Lian
his works testify to a lively imagination and a
vibrant inner life. In many pieces he is not simply
recording, but inventing. This ability to transform
the everyday into the marvellous is a sign of the true
artist. Technical ability can be learned, but
imagination comes from deep within….”
John McDonald (Art critic for the Sydney Morning
Herald)
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