WASHINGTON (Web Desk) – A photograph featuring American first lady Michelle Obama and Prime Minister Lee Hsien Loong’s wife, Ho Ching, has changed the life of a 19-year-old autistic youth from Singapore.
The Photograph that revamped the life of a Singaporean national featured Ho Ching carrying a blue clutch as she was received with a rousing welcome at White House dinner. The clutch was actually designed by Mr See Toh Sheng Jie who has been on Pathlight School’s Artist Development Programme (ADP) since its inception in 2011.
Under the ADP, professional artists work with autistic student to nurture their talents and opportunities to showcase their work in exhibitions.
The artist, Seetoh Sheng Jie, 19, who really loves prehistoric animals, designed the illustrations of the dinosaurs on the pouch purely from memory without any referencing material.
Mr Sheng Jie’s father, Mr Jason See Toh, 54, said: “Sheng Jie is not really aware of the impact of Ms Ho carrying his pouch to the White House.
“He is just happy when we tell him someone likes what he’s made.”
Soon after the image went viral, people from all over the world craved for having their own blue clutch.
The Pathlight’s Art Faculty website who managed to sell 200 bags during the past four months sold the same amount in a single day after Ho Ching carried it to the White House ceremony.
The pouch, called a Denim Pouch-Dino Blue Black, is available online for S$14.80.
