Mikhail Omar bin Syahrul, born in 2009 in Ipoh, Malaysia, is a teenage artist celebrated for his vibrant, nature-inspired artworks that highlight the beauty of birds and wildlife. Diagnosed with moderate autism and speech delay at 2.5 years old, Mikhail faced early challenges but discovered a unique voice through art. Drawing comfort from his love of animals, especially birds, he began channeling his passion into creating detailed, realistic and expressive pieces using watercolors and colored pencils.
At age 10, Mikhail showcased his talent during World Autism Awareness Week 2020, marking the start of a promising artistic journey. His talent has since gained recognition in both local and international exhibitions, including The Art of Autism at UiTM 2023 and the Unmasked Perspectives Art Exhibition at Inner Joy Art Gallery in 2023. In 2024, Mikhail reached a significant milestone when his painting Elegant Pair: Great Hornbills earned the prestigious Junior Award in the ParaArt International Tokyo 2024 exhibition in Japan.
Mikhail continues to expand his portfolio with captivating scenes of exotic birds to raise awareness about wildlife, particularly hornbills. He hopes that his artwork touches audiences and inspire others with his journey of creativity and perseverance, both locally and globally.
EXHIBITIONS
- Group Art Exhibition “World Autism Awareness Week 2020”, La Galerie Du Monde, Malaysia.
- 2020 Group Exhibition “The Art of Autism”, National Autism Resource Centre at UiTM, Malaysia.
- 2023 Group Exhibition “Unmasked Perspectives Art Exhibition”, Inner Joy Art Gallery, Malaysia.
- 2023 Group Exhibition “Celebrating Creativity: World Children's Day”, Inner Joy Art Gallery, Malaysia
- 2024 Group Exhibition"ParaArt Tokyo International Exhibition, Japan.
- We&I Art Fest 2024, Malaysia 2024
AWARDS
ParaArt Junior Award 2024