Artist with down syndrome exhibits his creativity and work

ABC NEWS (Australia)

Cole white is a unique artist who loves bowling with his best mates and building Lego. The 25-year-old has down syndrome and is often non-verbal. But art has enabled him to express his passions and share his creativity with the world. Cole is now showcasing his artwork at his very first exhibition.

Transcript

00:00Adding the finishing touches to his last few pieces.

00:06Cole White has spent the last year and a half creating a collection of art for his first exhibition.

00:13I'm just so proud of Cole and how far he's come with his artwork.

00:17Cole lives with Down syndrome and is often non-verbal,

00:21but through art he's expressing his passions and those of his loved ones too.

00:26Cole's mum loves cats and Cole loves cats too.

00:29So we did some artwork with cats inspired by your mum, wasn't it?

00:36It's a far cry from his previous humble art beginnings.

00:40I think he was just sort of left to his devices just colouring in or whatever,

00:44but with Holly he's been guided to pick what art he wants, what colours.

00:48For the founders of Barnacare, Cole's art journey is a lesson in careful curation,

00:53matching support workers and clients.

00:55It's not like a one size fits all shoe, which a lot of people I think think it is,

00:59and we knew that from the beginning and that's why we started.

01:01And Cole's hard work has come to fruition,

01:04with more than half of his artwork sold at his debut event.

01:08As parents you only want your children to be happy and doing what they love.

01:12Very proud. Very proud indeed.

01:14The proceeds funding Cole's future artistic endeavours.

01:18Put some money in the bank for the next lot, hey?

01:21Buy some more canvases and some more paint and more supplies.

01:27This is a perfect opportunity to purchase a piece of art that's not only meaningful,

01:31but also supports an emerging artist.

01:33Paving the way for his next exhibition.

01:37Paving that destination.

01:41Paving that wall.

01:43Paving that wall.

01:45Paving that wall,

01:46this was an amazing conversation.

01:47After all,

01:48of the time,

01:49Paving that wall,

01:50this was a great place.

01:51The scenes are beautiful.

01:52You're beautiful.

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