Special concept train to celebrate inclusivity plies with works of art

Commuters travelling on the Circle Line from Sept 24 to Oct 20 might see pictures of a painting of two penguins, done by Mr Daniel Widjaja.

- Fatmah Khan

The 20-year-old, who has non-verbal autism, loves to paint and is particularly fond of birds, said his mother, Madam Yuliani Tjahjono, 52.

His painting, Penguins In The Snow, is one of 10 works of art featured in a special concept train that will ply a route between Marina Bay and HarbourFront stations.

The concept train is an initiative by the North East Community Development Council and public transport operator SMRT to celebrate inclusivity.

It is also meant to promote a roving exhibition called Shaping Hearts, where the actual paintings by Mr Widjaja and other artists with disabilities can be seen, in Suntec City until Sept 29.

Madam Tjahjono said Mr Widjaja taps his photographic memory to paint, to communicate his passion and love for birds.

He can look at an Instagram picture of a bird in flight and then put it to paper, she added.