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I remember the date perfectly; it was June 25 when Peel Regional Police contacted me for a Public Art Installation. It was an imitative Bridge The Gap – Community Project to create a Mural on the side of a bridge in The City of Brampton. It seemed like an exciting Project. I was told that many people had recommended Niam to be the chosen artist. It seemed like an exciting collaboration with various community stakeholders and a golden opportunity for Niam to have his first public art installation.

I said yes, not knowing how Niam was going to complete it. I had faith in my son, and I figured that was enough. I told myself not many people would give someone with Autism who is unable to write a written art submission to do a Public Art Installation.

We visited the site in September. I was taken aback by its size and height. Niam had never done anything like this before or on this scale. He listened while I spoke to a representative of Seva Bank and Peel Regional Police.

The unveiling date had been set to Tuesday, October 15, 2024. Niam had to use outdoor paints. I thought to myself, “Niam has never used outdoor paints. They are more runny than the oils and impasto style of painting he usually does. We have time to figure it out. Of course, I wanted his first public art installation to be breathtaking.

Niam listened attentively as Officer Sahdev explained that the project was to showcase Niam’s talents as an artist but also to bring awareness to Autism. October is Autism Awareness Month, and unveiling the painting at that time would be special.  There would be many community stakeholders and media who would be at the event.

I thought it was a rare opportunity for Niam and a stepping stone, to further public art installations. If Niam could show his capabilities and trust his intuition, perhaps it would not be necessary to make written submissions. I was asked what Niam may paint, what colours he would use, and if he would write something on the wall. I explained if I told you any of that I would be steering Niam. Niam paints in layers with each layer expressing a thought or an emotion with the whole painting telling a story.

To try to ease everyone’s minds, I asked Niam, “What colour do you want to do?” Niam responded blue. Everyone was happy with blue. Blue is calming, and Niam is known for his love of blue in paintings. I thought to myself that blue could be the majority of the painting or a speck in it, so I decided not to say anything.

I asked Niam, “ Can you do it?”

Niam responded yes. That was that. He was going to do it. Everyone was satisfied.

We were doing it!