M'sian photographers hold exhibition to raise funds for National Autism Society

The Star

a day ago

Lawyer Ng Wy Min, 62, and his friend, pilot Captain Sim Yong Wah, 77, are passionate shutterbugs who have travelled the world capturing stunning wildlife, nature and underwater images.
When their friend, architect Greg Dall, coaxed them into showcasing their photography collections in an exhibition, it was a natural decision for the two to say yes.
The selling point: Proceeds from all prints sold will be donated in full to the National Autism Society of Malaysia (Nasom), a non-profit organisation dedicated to supporting and providing services for individuals with autism.
Sim's aluminium print of a puffin from the Faroe Islands will be featured in the exhibition.
'Before this, whenever people asked to see my photos, I couldn't properly showcase them as they were stored on hard drives or in the Cloud. I have wanted to create a website for my work, but work commitments always got in the way.
'When we committed to this exhibition, we knew we had to make it worthwhile. Our goal is to maximise sales to raise as much as possible for charity,' says Ng during an interview in Kuala Lumpur recently.
Their photo exhibition, The Two Journeyman – Wildlife Photography Charity Exhibition, takes place from Aug 23 to 31 (10am-5pm) at the Pentago House in Kampung Attap, KL.
Ng understands the importance of raising funds for a good cause, especially one like Nasom. The father of three has two grown-up children – Sean, 28, and Tania, 27 – who are diagnosed with moderate-functioning autism.
Ng with his children, Sean (left) and Tania, who inspired his support for autism initiatives. Sim's aluminium print of a puffin from the Faroe Islands will be featured in the exhibition. Photos: Ng Wy Min
He knows the funds will be used for early intervention programmes, special education and therapy services to support autistic children's development.
'The funds can be channelled to provide training and support for parents and caregivers, run awareness campaigns to reduce stigma, and advocate for inclusive policies for children on the spectrum,' says Ng, adding that the price for the photographs ranges from RM500 to RM6,000.
A 60-year collection
The exhibition will showcase 40 photographs in total – 20 each captured through the two men's lenses.
Sim's contribution is particularly unique, featuring 18 images printed on aluminium. He believes this may be the first exhibition in the country to present aluminium prints.
Aluminium printing in photography involves transferring images directly onto specially coated aluminium sheets rather than paper or canvas.
Sim personally handled all the printing himself.
Sim used photo-editing software to sift through his vast image collection, selecting only the finest shots for the exhibition. Photo: The Star/Sheela Chandran
'I searched for printers who could handle aluminium printing, but most were reluctant due to the high costs involved. So, I decided to take matters into my own hands. I turned to social media to learn the process, purchased all the necessary printing equipment last year, and began experimenting on my own.
'Each aluminium piece costs about RM500 to produce, and the printing process is very delicate. I have had many imperfect prints that went to waste, but after two weeks, I managed to create some pieces I was happy with. Most of my work in this exhibition is on aluminium, with only three or four printed on paper.
'Each piece measures 95cm x 55cm.'
Towering elephants from Mashatu Private Reserve in Botswana take centre stage in the exhibition.
Sim's photographs encompass a wide range of subjects, including birds, underwater scenes, landscapes and wildlife. His collection, which spans 60 years, boasts nearly 70,000 images.
To select the best shots for the exhibition, he used a photo-editing software to help him organise and edit the photos, which are mainly from the 1990s onwards.
Ng's photos are from 2014, mainly capturing Africa's wildlife. They include gorillas in Rwanda, wildebeest migration in the Serengeti National Park in Tanzania, majestic elephants at Mashatu Private Reserve in Botswana, and lions at Zimanga Private Reserve in South Africa.
There's also an image of a person towing a hot air balloon in Namibia, and one of camels journeying through the deserts of Wadi Rum in Jordan.
Ng's photo of a lioness at Zimanga Private Reserve, South Africa, is a standout piece in the exhibition.
Making an impact
Over the past two months, Sim has often stayed up until 3am testing and researching printing techniques for the exhibition. It is evident he's pouring his heart and soul into the project, knowing it is for a meaningful cause.
'I feel good knowing I'm doing something for charity. At my age, I am not concerned about money or profit – if given the chance, I would gladly do this again for another charitable cause. I am proud to be contributing to autism awareness and support,' says Sim, who was the country's first Padi open-water scuba instructor in 1980.
In 1993, he published his first coffee table book, Malaysia's Undersea Heritage, featuring his photographs of the country's finest marine sites.
Ng's photograph captures a ground crew member pulling a hot air balloon in Namibia, highlighting the fascinating behind-the-scenes moments of ballooning.
Ng hopes people will come forward and support the exhibition, knowing that all proceeds will go to a worthy cause. With the additional funding, he hopes Nasom can enhance community programmes and resources for children with autism and their caregivers, as well as fund workshops, therapy sessions, and skill-building programmes for children on the spectrum.
'I have always wanted to set up a cafe for my kids, a place where they can work and feel valued. They may not be suited for frontline roles, but they are capable of handling simple tasks. The challenge is that most businesses focus on profit and are reluctant to hire people for such positions.
'What is really needed is a space dedicated to supporting and managing people with different abilities. Hopefully, more communities will step forward to help these individuals gain independence and contribute meaningfully to society,' he concludes.
For more information on the exhibition, call 03-2276 6488.