Hedwiga uses artistic talent to raise awareness on challenges facing people with autism

DAR ES SALAAM: VISUAL artist and painter, Hedwiga Medard, is using her artistic talent to raise awareness about the challenges faced by people with autism and disabilities, calling for an end to social stigma and greater acceptance of human differences.

Through her art exhibition titled “Different”, Hedwiga seeks to promote understanding of autism, mental health and the importance of creating an inclusive society where people with special needs can participate fully in everyday life.

Hedwiga said the inspiration behind the exhibition came largely from the experiences of her younger sibling, who was born with autism, and the challenges encountered due to a lack of understanding and judgement from people in their surroundings.

She said the experience had taught her the importance of using art to communicate messages that can sometimes be difficult to express in words, particularly how society’s attitudes and actions can affect people with mental health conditions, Disorders and disabilities.

“I want society to recognise the impact of thewords and actions directed at people with mental health conditions,  visible and invisible disabilities. I would like people to understand how their behaviour can affect others, so they can reduce stigma and help create better living conditions for them,” she said.

Hedwiga said she began learning visual arts in 2019, where she practices watercolors, canvas painting and murals.

In addition to producing commissioned paintings for clients, she said she has been developing personal projects addressing mental health and the lives of people with disabilities, believing that art can serve as an important tool for public education and social change.

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Speaking about the cost of producing art, Hedwiga said the value of an artwork is determined not only by the paint and materials used but also by the time spent developing an idea and transforming it into a finished art piece that conveys the intended message.

She added that the process also involves preparing canvases and obtaining frames, some of which she orders from carpenters.

On the state of the art market in Tanzania, Hedwiga said there is still limited public understanding of visual art, particularly conceptual art whose messages may require additional explanation to be fully understood.

She called on the government to strengthen efforts to promote and develop visual arts addressing social issues, including mental health, saying such works could help improve public awareness and the living conditions of people with  special needs.

As part of the Different exhibition initiative, Hedwiga said she organised two workshops involving 20 participants with autism, who had the opportunity to learn various artistic techniques and take part in creating paintings.

Some of the artworks produced during the workshops have been included in the exhibition and are available for sale, providing an opportunity to combine creativity, participation by people with Autism and public awareness campaigns.

Meanwhile, Haikaeli Giliard, a pharmacist and curator of artworks that communicate health-related messages, said art could make health information easier to understand, particularly when conventional communication methods proved challenging.

Haikaeli said she is committed to using art to communicate health education in accessible ways, citing Hedwiga’s work addressing autism and mental health as an example.

She said visual arts had yet to receive the recognition they deserved compared with some other art forms, leaving artists facing difficulties in securing exhibition spaces and opportunities to sell their work.

According to Haikaeli, these challenges also limit recognition of visual art as a potential source of income, despite the time, creativity and financial resources artists invest in producing their work.

Haikaeli urged schools to strengthen arts education by providing teachers and students with appropriate opportunities and resources, saying artistic activities could help children express themselves, develop creativity and communicate their thoughts and feelings.

She added that art could help children learn and understand different subjects in ways suited to them, while drawing activities could support concentration and the development of fine motor skills.

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She also encouraged parents to give children opportunities to use pencils, paper and other art materials at home instead of relying exclusively on digital devices for entertainment.

Through the Different exhibition, Hedwiga and Haikaeli are encouraging society to recognise that art is more than decoration. They say it can also educate the public, foster understanding and create opportunities for people with special needs to participate fully in the society.