Laser Beak Man makes his TV debut!

Tim Sharpe’s superhero Laser Beak Man may be familiar to regional Queenslanders who saw his art work during a three-year tour with Queensland Arts Council’s Ontour onexhibition program.

Now the young artist’s character has hit the small screen, debuting on ABC3 in February.  The short cartoons are based on his Laser Beak Man drawings, and have been brought to life by Brisbane animators Big Fish TV.

When emerging Queensland artist Tim Sharp created Laser Beak Man at 11 years old, he had no inkling that his drawings of a superhero would one day make him the youngest artist to tour work with the Queensland Arts Council, or eventually end up as a television series!

Diagnosed with autism when he was three, Tim’s art provides him the opportunity to positively contribute and participate in life. Now 21 years old, his passion for drawing the whimsical adventures of blue caped crusader Laser Beak Man, a strong, kind character who fights villains and lives in Power City, has become his full-time profession. Tim still draws Laser Beak Man every day.

From 2006-2008, 14 regional Queensland communities had the opportunity to engage with the joy of Tim’s art, reaching an estimated attendance of 24,000 people. The exhibition has inspired many regional Queenslanders, promoting a positive and powerful message of inclusion and hope as it toured throughout the state.


The statewide impact of Laser Beak Man has been great and far-reaching. Judy Sharp, Tim’s mum, said the exhibition made a significant impact, which she nor Tim ever expected.

“We have been overwhelmed by the response from the public and how far, both nationally and internationally the audience has come from, of the inspiration it has given to so many and to the incredibly varied audience it has been exposed to, and also the incredibly positive response Tim’s art has received,” said Judy.

“Tim sold a great deal of his work through the exhibition, and certainly cemented his name as an artist. So many people told us how they loved the joy of his art, inspiring them to pick up their own pencil.”

Year Four students of Bundaberg’s St Luke's Anglican School visited the exhibition as it came to town. Excited by the exhibition, the teacher used the illustrated superhero to inspire students for in their major art focus of illustration. Each student created an illustrated character of his or her own, culminating in a class exhibition at Bundaberg Regional Art Gallery.

 
“Children in particular connected and identified strongly with this exhibition. Through this exhibition they have been introduced to art and subject matter from a whole new perspective and encouraged to explore alternate forms of artistic and self expression. Thank you for including this in you program.” Mitchell Arts Council and the gallery staff, Maranoa Art Gallery

You can watch Laser Beak Man at 6:50am on ABC3 each weekday.

Image: Laser Beak Man masks were the accessory of choice at the launch of the show in Brisbane in early February. Image courtesy Judy Sharp