The Hamilton Art Gallery in western Victoria has organized a surprise exhibition celebrating Hamish Elsmann, a 42-year-old local artist who lives with autism and schizoaffective disorder. The exhibition, titled "Hello Hamish," showcases more than 250 sketches that Elsmann has been quietly donating to gallery staff over the years as tokens of friendship.
For most of Hamish Elsmann's adult life, communication felt like an impossibly distant task. That changed when he discovered a public piano and began to play. As his fingers moved across the keys, something clicked, and music became a language his mind could grasp. The self-taught pianist found that art and music unlocked his ability to express himself in ways others could understand.
Elsmann lives with his 79-year-old father Johan in Merino, a small town located four hours west of Melbourne. Every week, the father and son make an hour-long round trip to Hamilton, where Hamish plays the grand piano at the local art gallery before sketching at the library next door. He regularly leaves his finished drawings at the gallery's front desk, sometimes simply sliding them under the door.
"It all translated into him being able to actually express himself in a way that we could all understand," Johan Elsmann explained. "I was totally astonished at the impact of just having access to music and art – it allowed his brain to structure his thoughts in a way he could communicate them with the rest of us." This creative ritual has opened a world that once felt closed to Hamish, transforming his fragmented responses into full conversations.
Hamish describes his piano compositions as often starting from recollections of his dreams. His drawings serve as a map for navigating social life – a visual diary of how he makes sense of others. "They're basically psychological mishaps, turned into life lessons," he said. "The sketches are actually there for me to go back to just in case I forget a social nuance that I want to expound upon."
Unknown to Hamish, Hamilton Art Gallery staff members Zac Grenfell and Madi Whyte had been quietly collecting every sketch he left behind over the years. They recognized something the artist himself hadn't seen: a substantial body of work worth celebrating. Curator Samantha Happe transformed these sketches into the surprise exhibition, creating a celebration of their secret artist-in-residence.
The surprise unveiling took place on Johan's 79th birthday this year. When Hamish walked into the gallery, he found the room filled with his sketches – abstract faces, animals, and fragmented thoughts made visible – surrounding the grand piano in the center. "Oh really, oh wow!" his voice echoed through the space. He immediately moved to the piano and played one of his most joyous compositions yet.
For Johan, watching from the doorway, the moment represented something profound. "He gave them his heart, but they've given him a place in society," he said, tears welling in his eyes. "I find that to be fabulous: it's something that no amount of medicine, counseling, or professional attention could ever do for him." The exhibition has given his son something he never thought possible: a genuine place in the world.
The impact on Hamish has been tangible and transformative. "I definitely feel better about myself," he said. "Also, playing with other people in mind, hoping I can strum on some heart-chords, that's really important to me. I enjoy the possibility of having more friends, so that's a good thing." The exhibition was never intended to make a statement, according to curator Samantha Happe. "We were doing this for Hamish. We wanted him to be able to see all these works that he has donated to us over the years," Dr. Happe explained.
The exhibition's success has led to practical changes in Hamish's life as well. Johan has recently started teaching Hamish how to drive, a traditional paternal milestone he thought he would never reach. This represents a significant step toward independence that his father never would have thought possible before his son unlocked his voice from the piano bench. Beyond piano and sketching, Hamish has expanded his interests and is now teaching himself to sew.
"Hello Hamish" has become the catchphrase that echoes through the gallery each time the Elsmanns visit. Due to popular demand, the gallery has extended the exhibition's run until early November. During recent performances, Hamish has delighted crowds by turning his back to the piano and continuing to play, and he regularly offers piano lessons to visitors after his performances. The ritual continues, but now when he returns to the gallery, people know his name. The exhibition runs at Hamilton Art Gallery until November 2.
