A TWO-DAY exhibition featuring some 100 paintings by artists and children with autism and cerebral palsy opened at Shanghai Library in Xuhui District yesterday.

The exhibition, hosted by the Shanghai Institute of Visual Arts, aims to raise awareness about children with autism as well as support for special education, its organizers said.

The paintings on display are from 34 painters in Shanghai and 29 children with autism.

Among the works, 66 from adult painters cover topics such as people, landscape and nature. The 46 works from children express their inner world and pursuit of excellence.

The paintings by children have festive themes and are brilliant in color, said Tang Jiali, a volunteer teacher.

“Kaikai requires adults’ attention when doing things, but drawing is his first independent thing to accomplish,” said Kaikai’s mother.

“Drawing gives him a sense of fulfillment and he likes it,” she said. “Such a hobby makes him feel that life is not boring and keeps him emotionally stable.”