Special designs from Odel’s little designer

Thashmi, Odel’s latest designer extraordinaire, can barely contain her excitement. She is amazed and overwhelmed, not just by the bustling store, but by all the people who’ve come to see her at the launch of her new product range. She giggles and covers her eyes, her fashionable pants glittering in the brightness of the photographers’ flashes. Thashmi, it seems, is destined for the spotlight…after all, she’s already making a name for herself - all at only 11 years of age.

Thashmi’s achievement becomes only more inspiring when you consider the fact that she is autistic. Autism, which begins in early childhood affects three crucial areas of development: communication, social interaction, and creative or imaginative play. However occasionally, as with Thashmi, autistic children display striking artistry, or musical ability. Some even perform unparalleled feats of memory and arithmetic calculation.

Even Thashmi’s choice of medium is unusual, not for her a canvas and paints. Instead, Thasmi uses the computer – creating what are popularly dubbed “computer generated artworks ”.

She uses the machine with enviable skill although she has had barely a year to get acquainted with the computer at the Chitra Lane Resource Centre.

Delysia Gunewardene is credited with unearthing this promising talent. President of the Chitra Lane School for the Special Child and the Chitra Lane Children's Resource Centre, Mrs. Gunewardene explains that she and her staff are always on the lookout for some distinguishing talent in their charges. The school aims to help those with special needs explore their fullest potential.

Many young autistic children show an inclination to writing, reveals Mrs. Gunewardene, adding that Thashmi is one of the few to lean so decidedly towards art. The little girl’s portfolio includes over 80 computer generated artworks. With its dramatic yet simple lines, and bold use of colour Thashmi’s art is childlike, and yet somehow all the more powerful for it. Vivid and imaginative, the pieces represent not only landscapes and portraits but also abstract expressions of human emotions and experiences like love.

“When I first saw her beautiful art, I nearly fell of my chair,” said Mrs. Gunewardene who brought Thashmi to the attention of her daughter Otara – owner of Odel Unlimited.

Otara immediately saw Thashmi’s inherent potential. The result? Thashmi is now officially Odel’s youngest designer. Describing her art as sophisticated and stylish, Otara explained that the proceeds from the sale of Thashmi’s work will be used to further the young girl’s education.
Currently on sale at Odel is a range of merchandise, from T-shirts and scarves to stationary and mouse pads, all of which showcase Thashmi’s designs.
The in-store promotion at Odel will be on till March 30.