MARIE ZELIE TAN
The above is the title of a painting of my son. This practicing visual artist obtained his Bachelor of Fine Arts from Emily Carr University of Art+Design, one of Canada’s leading educational institutions for art, design, and media. I mention this because aside from his gift of art, my son, J.A., was also blessed with the gift of autism. In his artist statement, J.A. states: “ I live and work in the same world as everyone else, but it is seen in a different perspective by me and my autistic mind.” And this sets the tone of this piece I wish to share with you all.
As a person on the autism spectrum, my son has challenges that neuro-typical individuals like us do not have, e.g., reading non-verbal cues, speaking spontaneously, processing situations instantly, etc… But I do not venture in this short piece to write about all these. I mention these only because, seeing my son navigate all the obstacles and challenges thrown at him, I know that God has indeed blessed him with a gift that Matthew states in his book 13:16., “Blessed are your eyes, for they see and your ears, for they hear.”
I draw the reader’s attention to this piece of art. What do you see amidst the colors and shapes painted on a black background? Do you see the hearts peeking from behind the otherwise sad landscape? Every time I look at this painting, I see JA always finding the good in a difficult situation and the love and strength to forge on. And he gets this strength from calling on Mama Mary, as he says.
In my son’s art, I see and hear God speaking to me and helping me be the best parent I can be so that he can become the best of what he can be and what he is meant to be. And here I present another painting of his, which affirms my belief that the Master Teacher guides my son.
J.A. says of this piece: “Visiting the Philippines at one time, we were passing rice fields as the sun was just about to rise. And this image is what stuck in my memory. It felt like a mystical moment, and I felt lucky to see colors that no one else could see with the naked eye. For me, the play of light on the fields seemed like angels playing around. A moment so difficult to describe in words…so creating a painting was the best homage I could do for this beautiful scenery in my country of birth.”
Please take a moment to be silent and stare at this piece…do you see the angels playing…do you hear God speaking to you???? J. A did, and I do too. Through his art, my son has shared with me the many messages he receives. His autism has allowed him to see beyond what I see, and his art has given him the vehicle to share these gifts with people around him.
All J.A. asks of us, for him and others who may be differently abled, is to listen with love and compassion. We should live the words God speaks to us through the bible, the sacraments, Holy Mass, and prayer. And I invite you all to hear this message of love through a poem JA wrote in 2006 as he was starting his university studies in a new country.
“I give you my hands
Some filled with joy
Some filled with aches
The weight on my mind
On my shoulders
Keeps me grounded.
I want to fly when I dream
Of the possibilities;
When I see the future
The potential actualized
I burst from elation
My sweet realization.
This is the significance
I have searched an eternity for
I am revealing my core
Knowing we will be connected
Indulge me this pleasure
Allow my exposure to be
As part of your soul.”
J.A. Tan, October 2006
My youngest child is a special gift of God to our family as he always shows us the power of love, mercy, and faith in his art and daily activities, even if life throws him many curved balls in different shapes, sizes, and colors. Through him, I hear God saying,” Let not your heart be troubled; believe in God…” John 14:1 Indeed, all will be well for my son, J.A. Tan.