Julian Poon, 17, is one of Perth’s most promising young artists, and was the youngest ever selected for the London-based Royal Academy of Arts’ summer exhibition.

His growing list of achievements includes a wall mural he’s working on for the Fremantle Festival in October.

His mum, May, tells the Herald her son had never let Asperger syndrome overshadow his talent.

Drawing for more than nine years, his recent work reflects a fascination with Egyptian hieroglyphs and the middle ages.

He’s hoping to land a grant (from between $2000 and $10,000) from DADAA for young artists with disabilities. The Fremantle-based organisation has $200,000 to hand out, courtesy of the WA disability services commission.

Julian hopes to get the grant so he can hold another solo exhibition: “I am a visual person so art is a good way to express myself,” he says.

by SOPHIE MITCHELL