Teen artist with autism Ansh Batra bags order for 23 paintings from Japanese tech giant Hitachi’s IT unit

Just over 12 years old, Ansh Batra has sold over 100 paintings all over the world. The latest feather in Ansh’s cap was getting an order for 23 abstract paintings from Hitachi Systems Micro Clinic, the IT infrastructure solutions unit of Japanese tech major Hitachi Systems.

Gurugram-based teenage artist Ansh Batra is going places. Diagnosed with autism when he was three years old, Ansh’s emotions and creativity find expression not in words but in vivid works of art. Just over 12 years old, his work is getting attention around the world. Ansh has already sold over 100 works of art and his Facebook page Ansh’s Dream World has over 1,000 followers.

And to think that when Ansh’s mother Anshul Batra introduced him to art two years ago, he was not comfortable to begin with.

We introduced him to art two years ago as a means to find an outlet for his emotions. Initially he was not too happy with the idea because of his behavioural issues. With the help of his art teacher, Rahul sir, Ansh got comfortable with using colours and water and he was hooked. As he started showing more interest, we decided to use art to channelise his energy levels. He now expresses his energy through colours. He is able to vent the emotions he is otherwise unable to express. – Anshul Batra, Ansh’s mother

As Anshul kept updating his Facebook page with his paintings, Ansh’s skills got him noticed by Tarun Seth, Managing Director of Hitachi Systems Micro Clinic, the IT infrastructure solutions unit of Japanese tech major Hitachi Systems. “A frequent visitor to Ansh’s page was Tarun Seth’s sister, who loved his work. She spoke to her brother and he was impressed with Ansh’s work too”, says Anshul.

Going Places

That led to an order for 23 abstract paintings from Seth, who wanted them as Diwali gifts for his clients last year. Two of Ansh’s paintings have also been bought by Justice Rekha Pillai at the Delhi High Court. Anshul is happy and proud that her son’s work is getting so much attention.

“When we introduced him to art, we never thought that it would take him so far”, she says. “He is able to work freely and when he is painting, he is full of excitement and energy, there’s no stopping him!”.

Ansh paints after he comes back to school and is largely self-taught. His mother looks at videos on YouTube and the internet to check out new techniques to help him enhance his works. He also attends a centre every week for some classes. “When he feels like it, he can paint 20-30 pieces a month”, says Anshul.

“I have been following Ansh’s painting for sometime now”, says Urmita Sethi, who regularly checks out his work on Facebook. “I always felt he is immensely gifted in his sense of colours. His paintings are always very vibrant and eye catching”.

Ansh’s work is spontaneous and he works according to his moods. He may not talk much, but the colours he uses indicate the mind space he is in. Red is his eternal favourite and mom Anshul knows he is doing good when there is red on the palette. His parents using the sales from his art for a fund to secure his future. “If he wants to make a future in art, we will be more than happy to support him in every way we can”.

Check out Ansh’s paintings at Ansh’s Dream World.