Laser Beak ManInformation Sheet

Sydney Opera House Digital Creative Learning

Laser Beak Man is the colourful superhero created by Australian artist Tim Sharp who has autism and has won fans from all around the world with his unique sense of humour and happy and very original art.

Tim was diagnosed with Autism when he was three years old. Such were Tim’s enormous difficulties that the doctor’s advice was “that the best thing to do was put him away and forget about him”. Rejecting the prognosis, intensive therapy began immediately and bravely Tim tried to overcome what was so terrifying and difficult for him.

Drawing was used as a way of helping Tim to communicate and Tim did learn to speak . At age 11 Tim invented Laser Beak Man who allows Tim to show the world his great sense of humour and intelligence as well as his original way of looking at life.

Colourful Language - Laser Beak Man by Tim Sharp

About Tim Sharp

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Hello Everybody.

I love drawing Laser Beak Man it makes me happy. I was born to do this. I love having exhibitions when I get to meet lots of people and make new friends. It is a dream come true that Laser Beak Man is on TV and has his own animated series. I love being an artist and I get to travel a lot. I have been to New York, London, Sydney, Melbourne, Los Angeles, Chicago, Memphis and Nashville Tennessee. I get to make a lot of friends from all around the world.”

I got to do a TEDxSydney Talk at the Sydney Opera House and that is one of the best things I have ever done. I loved it! Especially when all the people stood up and cheered for me. In 2015 went to New York City to work on the Theatre Production of Laser Beak Man with Dead Puppet Society at the New Victory Theatre on 42nd Street!

I love making art, doing speaking engagements, making friends and making people happy. I have a wonderful life.

A message from Tim Sharp

Batman - Laser Beak Man by Tim Sharp

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Highlights1999 Tim creates Laser Beak Man at age 11 and draws him every day.

Tim works in pencil and wind up crayons and continues to do so.

2004 at 16 years of age Tim was the only Australian selected by a jury for the world’s largest arts festival for people with a disability in Washington DC.

2004 Australian Story airs, documenting Tim’s trip to Washington DC.

2005 Tim’s first Australian exhibition is held in Brisbane and opened by the then Governor General Dame Quentin Bryce.

2005 Finalist for Queensland Young Australian of the Year.

2006 Art is exhibited at Sydney Opera House as part of World Disability Day.

2006 Finalist for Queensland Young Australian of the Year recognising his achievements and his work in making people more aware of autism.

2010 Laser Beak Man the animated TV series airs on Cartoon Network Australia, New Zealand and Asia. Tim is the first person in the world with autism to have his art turned into an animated TV series.

2014 Tim is a speaker at TEDx Sydney at the Sydney Opera House and receives a standing ovation to at capacity Concert Hall. To date the video has +27,000 views on YouTube.

2014 Tim presents his work as well as workshops at Sydney Opera House and the Museum of Contemporary Art.

2015 The book about Tim’s life is released, called A Double Shot of Happiness, and it becomes a best seller.

2015 Tim travels to New York City to work on the play of Laser Beak Man. He works with Nick and David from Dead Puppet Society at the New Victory *theatre on 42nd Street Broadway.

2016 A short film about Tim is released and screened at the Metropolitan Museum of Art in New York.

2017 Tim and his mum Judy are finalists for Australian Speaker of the Year.

2017 The play Laser Beak Man opens in Brisbane as part of the Brisbane festival to rave reviews and sell out audiences for three weeks.

2018 Tim is a speaker for World Autism Awareness Day at the Sydney Opera House.

2018 “The Helpmann” (Australian Theatre) awards are announced and Laser Beak Man is nominated for four awards best play, best new Australian work, best original score and best set design.

2019 The play Laser Beak Man will return to Australia and Tim returns to his most favourite place ever, the Sydney Opera House for a digital author talk.

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