Imperfect. Illogical. Incredible. This is how Karuna Gopal chooses to describe the solo exhibition put up by her 19-year-old son Vikram, who was diagnosed with autism at the age of four -and-a-half and later with epilepsy too. Nevertheless, Vikram has come a long way. “We had to change around five or six schools because the authorities were unable to tolerate him. But look at him now!” says his proud mother. And indeed, she has reason to be. She has helped him display 41 paintings at his first solo exhibition in the city titled, Cosmic Code.

Explaining the meaning behind the title, Karuna says, “According to me, cosmic code is a set of rules that define divine expression. And what better way to describe my son?” The themes of the paintings vary from a series on God to “besotted with bamboo.” “He loves bamboo art and there are 30 paintings on that theme,” says Karuna. Vikram started painting four years ago for four hours every day. “It was a therapeutic exercise. He started with drawing the basics like leaves, fruit and so on. But with the help of my sister, Dr Vasuprada, we were able to give him a new direction. I would take him out for walks or on a bullock cart for him to experience something new,” she says adding, “And what you see in front of you is four years of hard work.”