A Filipino teen artist is among a select group of local creatives featured in a month-long arts and culture showcase at Al Ghurair Centre, where creativity, inclusion, and remembrance take center stage.
Eighteen-year-old Lyle Junaid V. Tomawis is one of six local artists exhibiting their works at FLAYVA Food Hall, Al Ghurair, from January 5 to 24. The exhibition forms part of FLAYVA’s broader January program celebrating visual art, literature, workshops, and community markets, transforming the food hall into a cultural hub for the month.
Lyle, a Dubai-based Filipino artist diagnosed with autism spectrum disorder at the age of two, is presenting hand-painted bayong bags and wooden pieces that reflect his inner world through bold colors, florals, and repeating patterns. His participation places him alongside five other artists, including fellow Filipino creative Ms. Jeanelyn “Ji” Jarder, whose works are also on display. Jarder passed away last year, and the exhibition serves as a tribute to her artistic legacy, adding a deeper layer of meaning to the event.
The exhibition was formally graced by His Excellency Ambrosio Brian Enciso III, Consul General of the Philippines to Dubai, underscoring the strong Filipino presence and the cultural significance of the showcase.
For Lyle, the exhibit is more than a public display of art—it is an extension of how he communicates with the world. Diagnosed with Level 2 autism and using limited vocabulary, he has long relied on painting as his primary form of expression. “Art became Lyle’s way of expressing what he couldn’t put into words,” shared his mother, Ciela Mae V. Tomawis, during a previous feature on TGFM. “Each painting or artwork he creates is unique, depending on his mood and feelings at the time, even if the theme or motif is the same.”
Lyle’s journey with art began early. He started scribbling with crayons at around three or four years old and was already recognized for his coloring skills during his early school years. By the time he was five or six, he had transitioned from watercolor to acrylic painting. His family moved to the UAE when he was 12, where his artistic development continued with steady support and encouragement.
Today, Lyle is the main artist behind Spectrum Creations AE, a family-run venture that produces custom hand-painted bayong bags, wooden coasters, and other decorative items. His creative process is detailed and intentional. He prepares each surface himself—priming bayong bags, sanding wooden pieces, and carefully mixing colors until they meet his preference. “An art piece is not done until I hear him say that it’s ready for varnish,” his mother said, noting that Lyle also applies the final gloss himself.
Although he works across different materials, certain elements consistently appear in his art. Patterns and florals dominate his pieces, regardless of the surface, creating a recognizable visual language that visitors to the exhibit have gravitated toward.
“People love them,” Ciela shared. “Every time, they are amazed at how each piece turns out.”
Within the broader FLAYVA program, the art exhibition is accompanied by workshops for children and adults, a book nook and swap corner in collaboration with Bookends, storytelling sessions, author meet-and-greet activities, open mic events, and a thrift and treasure market. Together, these elements frame the exhibition as a community-driven celebration rather than a standalone display.
For Lyle’s family, the exhibit is also an opportunity to challenge misconceptions about autism. Each piece on display carries emotional depth shaped by his personal experiences. Through color and form, his works convey joy, curiosity, resilience, and hope—reminding viewers that autism is not something to be concealed or corrected, but a different way of seeing and engaging with the world.
