Perth artist Jenny Davies is picking up the paintbrush for a year-long Arts for Autism project, bringing into focus the faces and stories of Curtin University\u2019s neurodivergent community.<\/p>\n
Over the next year, Ms Davies will be welcoming 50 people into her Floreat studio as part of a Arts for Autism initiative, working in partnership with the Autism Association of WA.<\/p>\n
\u201cWhat I\u2019m trying to capture is the essence of the person, and to draw attention to how diverse people are in our community,\u201d she said.<\/p>\n
Set to take about a year to complete, Ms Davies says the project will include a variety of subjects, ranging from people living with autism to carers, families and advocates.<\/p>\n
\u201cI see the face as a bit of a landscape,\u201d she said.<\/p>\n
\u201cIt\u2019s telling a story of where you\u2019ve been through life and what hardships you\u2019ve had.<\/p>\n
\u201cSo far I\u2019ve only painted three people, but it\u2019s really become a highlight of my day whenever I get to do it.\u201d<\/p>\n
The project has received upwards of 40 applications \u2014 a response Ms Davies said was overwhelming.<\/p>\n
\u201cIt\u2019s been much more embraced than I thought it would be, and I\u2019ve had so many positive comments,\u201d she said.<\/p>\n
\u201cThe stories that have been coming through have just been so emotional, and I want to put them all in. I\u2019m just overwhelmed by how many people want to be involved. So it\u2019s amazing.\u201d<\/p>\n
![\"Artist](\"https:\/\/www.europesays.com\/australia\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/05\/0a6af326f0a1cc14cc395022fdf17001b2ae2dc3.jpg\")
Camera IconArtist Jenny Davies painting Alexa Miuller, who is undertaking year-long Arts for Autism campaign where she is painting 50 neurodivergent people living in Curtin over next 50 weeks. Andrew Ritchie Credit: Andrew Ritchie\/The West Australain<\/p>\n
Ms Davies said she recognises it can be challenging for people on the spectrum, who must sit in the same position for two to three hours for a painting.<\/p>\n
\u201cNeurodivergency comes in all sorts of different shapes and forms, and I\u2019m very aware of that. So I want people to feel very comfortable,\u201d she said.<\/p>\n
\u201cI can paint them with headphones or give them a screen to watch while they sit there, and I\u2019ve got fidget spinners and other sensory toys. If they don\u2019t want to chat that\u2019s fine, and we take breaks and have a bit of a stretch as well.\u201d<\/p>\n
Curtin MP Kate Chaney, who is a vocal advocate for autism awareness, is one of her sitting subjects.<\/p>\n
Ms Chaney last month spoke in parliament about the need for greater support for families navigating autism, and raised concerns about the Government\u2019s plan to move children with autism off the National Disability Insurance Scheme before replacement programs were ready.<\/p>\n
![\"MP](\"https:\/\/www.europesays.com\/australia\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/05\/a6f75b1eedc3d67d0ce2ab866a4f8c0ae6ade293.jpg\")
Camera IconMP Kate Chaney is one of the subjects in Ms Davies\u2019 project. Credit: AAP<\/p>\n
\u201cI\u2018ve spoken to many carers about their experience of the NDIS and their despair,\u201d Ms Chaney said during her speech.<\/p>\n
\u201cToo often, it seems we\u2019re taking the human out of human services. Supports are siloed and impersonal.<\/p>\n
\u201cWe must put people at the centre of the NDIS so Australians with disability and the families who carry so much are finally seen, heard and supported.\u201d<\/p>\n
Davies hopes her project can help bring the community together and preserve their stories in a meaningful way.<\/p>\n
The project will wrap up next April where the 50 portraits will be unveiled at exhibition at the Autism Association of WA\u2019s offices in Shenton Park. The association will receive all the proceeds from portrait sales.<\/p>\n
Speaking on the partnership, Autism Association of WA CEO Joan McKenna Kerr said the project is more than an exhibition, but a way to build a community that recognises the unique strengths, experiences and voices that encompasses it.<\/p>\n
\u201cThrough this project, Jenny has created a space for real, local stories to be shared \u2013 giving the autistic community a safe platform to express who they are and share the experiences and stories that shape their life,\u201d Ms McKenna Kerr said.<\/p>\n
\u201cWe are honoured to be involved in this project and to shine a light on the strength, compassion and connection of our community so everyone feels supported and heard.\u201d<\/p>\n