Laughlin with her artworks at The Autism Art Gallery. — Photo by Rais Sanusi
KUCHING: For the past 20 years, Sue Laughlin had always wanted to visit Borneo and for the first time in February this year, she got to fulfill her lifelong dream.
The United Kingdom (UK) native travelled solo, backpacking for three weeks to places like Kuching, Kota Kinabalu, Kinabatangan and Mulu, among others.
It was an enriching experience where she got to meet people from all walks of life.
Being an artist on the autism spectrum, Laughlin decided to pay a visit to the Kuching Autistic Association (KAA) while she was here.
It was a brief encounter, but the topic of holding an art exhibition popped up.
“It was mentioned in passing, but I thought about it for a while when I got back from my trip. The idea for an exhibition in Kuching was finalised at the end of May or so,” she told The Borneo Post when met here yesterday.
The result was Laughlin’s first exhibition of paintings in Kuching, currently being held at The Autism Art Gallery at Hilton Kuching until October 27.
“The exhibition is organised with the association, and 50 per cent of sales will go to them.
“This is because what they are doing is very valuable, such as the support for the children and their parents, and also creating public awareness,” she said.
Laughlin is showcasing 15 artworks, including nine ‘oil on gold leaf on board’ paintings depicting various nature scenes in Borneo.
“I used little bits of gold leaf sheets. This is to reflect on how precious our natural world is, which is ever-shrinking.
“Each painting took me about a week to complete except for one, which took about three weeks. It was a big learning curve, as each painting presented its own challenge,” she shared.
Laughlin said she has always been passionate about art and nature. Growing up in the village of Mendham in Suffolk, it saddened her to see the places she loved being developed and built on, leaving little traces of the nature that existed there.
Her other artworks on sale at the gallery are ‘oil on canvas’ paintings that contain reference to the myths and legends that are specific to each natural place in the UK.
Besides original paintings, prints of the paintings are also available for purchase at the gallery. These are Giclee prints, which are printed with ink that is guaranteed light-fast in any atmospheric conditions for 100 years. They are printed on archival museum quality papers which are also waterproof.
Laughlin revealed that, despite her long-time interest in art, she did not formally pursue her passion until much later in life when she was divorced with two small children.
It was only then that she started her pursuit in art as a mature student and went on to obtain a Bachelor of Arts (Honours) in Fine Art and a Masters in Fine Art, silencing the naysayers in her life.
“It was a wonderful experience for me. It was another dream that I thought I would not be able to achieve but I did it.
“So if you have a passion, follow it.
“Especially for those with autism or on the autism spectrum, do not ever let anyone tell you that you cannot do it or that you are not good enough.
“We only live this lifetime once, follow your dreams,” she said.
To learn more about Laughlin’s works, visit her at the gallery or follow her on Facebook and Instagram at ‘SueLaughlinArt’.
The Autism Art Gallery opens on Wednesdays to Fridays from 10am to 4pm and on weekends from 11am to 5pm. It is closed on Mondays and Tuesdays.