When Covid-19 brought fundraising to a sudden halt in 2020, the Kuching Autistic Association (KAA) turned to its newly opened art gallery for a lifeline — converting student artists’ works into Autism Art merchandise sold online and by word of mouth. What began as a small initiative to keep operations running has since grown into a meaningful social enterprise.
KAA fundraising chairman Connie Yeo says the line has expanded from prints and cards into T-shirts, tote bags, mugs and, most recently, a ceramic potholder. Each design is carefully matched to its product so that the artist’s voice and emotional intent are preserved — bold strokes on totes, cheerful illustrations on mugs — but always with the heart of the original artwork intact.
Programme manager Darren Charlie adds that the merchandise is more than a fundraiser: it shifts public perceptions of autism by showcasing the diversity, talent and individuality within the spectrum. For the artists themselves, seeing their work appreciated — and earning a share of the sales — builds confidence, dignity, and a real sense of achievement. As Yeo puts it, the work is shifting the narrative from limitation to possibility.
Read the original article by Sharon Ling on The Star: Association pivots to ‘Autism Art’ (9 April 2026).