 27 December 2007, Kuala Lumpur: For its 2007 Corporate Calendar, Shell Malaysia commissioned several artworks by Yeak Ping Lian - a 13-year-old autistic boy who was recently acknowledged as having an exceedingly rare condition known as Savant Syndrome. The story behind the 2007 theme is that Nature’s gifts are precious, fragile and many times, so subtle or taken for granted that it needs ‘exposing’ to be unearthed and appreciated. Shell Malaysia has several on-going initiatives geared towards helping special communities of Malaysian society - including the young, the disabled and the disadvantaged - develop their full potential. It was Shell’s community care programmes with these stakeholders particularly the young and those with special needs that drew the Company’s attention to the inspiring talents of Ping Lian, a very gifted teenager. The Company had also invited some 20 autistic children from the National Autistic Society of Malaysia (NASOM) as guests to share in the celebration of Ping Lian’s artwork. The children were guests of Shell’s “We Care We Share” community programme - a long-standing staff-driven support initiative in which Shell staff volunteers reach out to disadvantaged and marginalised communities.” Saw Choo Boon, Chairman of Shell Malaysia said: “Each year, the Company invests significant amounts in community support initiatives, in people development projects and in capacity building and sustainability programmes that promote, manage and help conserve the environment. Shell Malaysia commits itself to this ‘social investment’ because it is very much a part of Malaysia, having grown with the nation for over 115 years.” The 20 children, led by world-famous Malaysian artist, Encik Yusof Gajah, had earlier this morning, participated in a sculpture painting exercise alongside Shell staff volunteers. At the same event, Mrs Betty Saw, the wife of the Shell Malaysia Chairman, took the opportunity to donate RM 5,000.00 to NASOM in support of their activities. Betty Saw added that: “Shell’s community support initiatives have touched thousands of lives and we are happy to continue reaching out to special communities as part of the Company’s long-term commitment to Malaysia.” When Yeak Ping Lian was 9 nine years old, he was introduced to art. Encouraged to recreate images around him, Ping Lian’s mother, Sarah HS Lee discovered his talent - an extraordinary gift to sketch and paint with spontaneity and an expressiveness that is uninhibited and untutored. Whilst the effect of autism or his ‘savant syndrome’ has made Ping Lian a child who occasionally lives in his own world, his artistic ability has helped transform his world where his passion for art drives him to draw at every opportunity. Unable to adapt to a conventional school environment, Ping Lian undergoes a home-tutoring programme and attends supplementary lessons for children with special needs. Sarah has added art lessons to his curriculum to inspire and further nurture his artistic gift. Ping Lian has already participated in several exhibitions and sold his art pieces to various collectors. His most recent exhibition was at the Henry Gregg Gallery and the Great Hall Gallery at Cooper Union in New York in January 2006 under the banner “Autistic Savant Artworks : Don’t dis’ the ability” a joint exhibition with 3 other international artists. He received rave reviews for his cheerful and vibrant art pieces. Italian artist, Daniel Rossi, described him in these words: “He draws and paints what he feels. His work is not contaminated by influences, I just love his work”. Said Saw Choo Boon: ”Shell Malaysia is proud to present a selection of his works in its 2007 Calendar and salutes a native son. We expect Yeak Ping Lian’s talent to blossom and wait with anticipation to see his future work unravel before Malaysia’s proud eyes. His natural talent and his creativity will no doubt continue to inspire and enthral in the years ahead.”
Note to Editor :
The highlight of the Shell Malaysia corporate calendar 2007 launch was a display of the six commissioned artworks of Malaysian child autistic savant, Yeak Ping Lian, as well as an exhibition of some of Shell Malaysia's corporate calendars over the years (1970s to date). The Shell calendar has long been a highly regarded corporate contribution to the development of arts and culture in Malaysia. Since Shell started producing its calendars in the early 1970s, the company has attempted to communicate specific messages to the Malaysian community through its calendars. Considerable research precedes the selection of themes, which have ranged from the preservation of Malaysia’s multi-cultural heritage, the conservation of the country’s equatorial bio-diversity and natural environment, the preservation of its architectural legacy, and the promotion of local and budding artists and art forms. Over the years, artists, working on a variety of mediums from woodcut to silkscreen, from oils to etchings, and photography, have worked on a range of subjects including rare flora and endangered fauna, natural landscapes to traditional crafts, heritage buildings, traditional wedding costumes and ethnic folklore. Among some of Malaysia's well-known artists, whose works have been featured in the Shell calendar to-date, include the celebrated Hoessein Enas (portraits), Khalid Ibrahim (traditional crafts), Syed Thajudeen (ethnic folklore), Long Thien Shih (endangered flora/fauna), Ilse Noor (built heritage), Yusuf Gajah (environment) and Ajis Mohamed (coral reefs). Today, 13 year old autistic savant, Yeak Ping Lian (free style) joins this Malaysian hall of fame. Find out more about the extraordinary Yeak Ping Lian and the Savant Syndrome at:
http://www.pinglian.com
http://www.savantsyndrome.com | 
