People with Purpose: Daniel Bartholomaeus

Painting the World Through a Neurodivergent Lens

When you meet Daniel Bartholomaeus, known to many as Dan, you’re not just meeting an artist, an advocate, or an athlete. You’re meeting a whole-hearted human being who has transformed personal adversity into powerful action.

Named the 2025 ACT Young Australian of the Year, Dan is a striking example of what happens when lived experience is not only recognised but embraced. From the canvas to the athletics track, and in every moment spent walking his beloved Husky, Spike, Dan radiates one unwavering message:

“It’s okay to be different. Our uniqueness is what makes us special.”

And honestly we couldn’t love his story more.

A Story of Survival, Strength, and Self-Expression

Dan’s journey hasn’t been easy.

“I went through some very dark times,” he shares candidly. “I understand life can be really difficult. I would like people to understand that you can survive a mental health crisis. I did.”

As a neurodivergent person living with autism, Dan’s path has been layered with challenges, ones that are statistically sobering. “Autistic individuals are eight times more likely to take their own lives than neurotypical individuals,” he explains. “And 50–80% of autistic people will experience mental health challenges in their lifetime.”

Autistic individuals often experience difficulty with social communication and interaction, not from not wanting connection, but because neurotypical norms can be confusing, overwhelming, or inaccessible. This leads to higher rates of isolation, bullying, and exclusion, especially in school or workplace settings. Over time, that lack of belonging and connection takes a serious toll on mental health.

But Dan doesn’t just quote statistics. He lives the reality behind them and he’s actively working to change the narrative. “People with disability are ten times more likely to experience loneliness,” he adds. “I wish people had a better understanding of inclusiveness and what that really means.”

Many autistic people feel pressured to "mask" their natural behaviours to fit in, forcing eye contact, suppressing stimming, mimicking neurotypical communication styles. This constant effort to appear “normal” is exhausting and linked to anxiety, depression, and suicidality, especially among late-diagnosed or undiagnosed individuals.

So, Dan got to work. And his tools? Paint, powerlifting and purpose.

The Canvas as Connection

Dan is currently studying a Bachelor of Visual Arts at ANU, slowly, part-time and entirely on his own terms.

“I like to use my art as a means to connect and help others,” he says.

For Dan, art is not just a personal outlet, it’s a social bridge.

He volunteers regularly with the National Gallery of Australia’s Sensory Sundays, helping create welcoming and accessible spaces for people with sensory sensitivities. He’s contributed to the Erindale College Art Program, and hopes to work with inclusive education settings this year. His artwork has even been auctioned to support causes close to his heart, such as SiTara’s Story, a local initiative advocating for women and girls from diverse backgrounds and their healing journeys.

“I want to use my art to bring people together,” he says. “To improve mental health and understanding. To make connection easier for those who often feel left out.”

This drive to foster inclusion has earned him more than just accolades. It’s helped him find belonging and helped others find hope.

Building Strength Inside and Out

While Dan’s brush strokes might speak volumes, so does his physical resilience. He’s a keen gym-goer, powerlifter, and recently returned to track and field athletics.

“I used to do athletics at a national level,” he says proudly. “And I recently came 4th in triple jump at Nationals.”

Fitness for Dan isn’t just about the podium. It’s about structure, strength, and survival. “Doing art in my studio, going to the gym, and taking Spike for a walk, that’s my rhythm. That’s what keeps me grounded.”

There’s something quietly revolutionary about seeing someone with multiple challenges not only show up, but compete at elite levels of performance. It chips away at outdated assumptions of what disability and neurodivergence look like.

“I’m passionate about helping others,” he says. “I advocate for better systems in schools, workplaces, and society for neurodivergent individuals and those with disabilities.”

Dan believes that systems can change, but only if people do too. And so, he mentors, volunteers, and continues to share his story.

From Disbelief to Self-Belief

Being named the 2025 ACT Young Australian of the Year was, in Dan’s words, “a real honour and a turning point in my life.” But it wasn’t something he expected. “Once I got over the disbelief, it helped me believe in myself,” he reflects. “It’s helped grow my self-esteem.”

And that confidence is infectious.

Dan now uses his growing platform to speak up for those who might not feel ready yet.

“Try and focus on what you can do, not on what you can’t do,” he encourages others. “Identify your passion. Don’t be afraid to seek help, that’s one of the most important messages I want to get across.”

His advice isn’t theoretical. It’s rooted in hard-earned lived wisdom.

Dan doesn’t sugar-coat the journey. He acknowledges that navigating mental health challenges, stigma, and systems that weren’t built for you is tough. But he also shows that you can live a vibrant, purpose-driven life alongside those struggles. Not after. Alongside.

More Than Just a Title

When asked about what makes him happy, Dan’s answers are delightfully grounded. Cooking. Spending time in his art studio. Taking Spike, his beloved Husky, for long walks.

“Spike equals life,” he laughs. “Oh, did I mention I own a Husky?”

It’s this mix of humour, humility, and heart that makes Dan such a powerful advocate. His story reminds us that leadership doesn’t always look like a loud voice or a podium. Sometimes it looks like a quiet presence at a community art workshop. Or a patient mentor on the athletics track. Or a message shared with someone struggling alone:

“You’re not broken. You’re different. And that difference is a gift.”

Dan’s involvement with communities like Daydream Machine and SiTara’s Story is a testament to how connection and contribution go hand-in-hand. He isn’t building his future alone. He’s building it with others, for others.

Redefining What Inclusion Looks Like

One of Dan’s most powerful messages is about redefining inclusion, not as a checklist, but as a mindset. “I wish people had a better understanding of inclusiveness and what that means,” he says. “It’s not just about physical access. It’s about cultural safety, emotional understanding, and being open to difference.”

His advocacy doesn’t just aim to make spaces more accessible. It seeks to make them more welcoming. More human.

And while he’s quick to downplay his own role, Dan’s impact is undeniable. Whether it’s through the stroke of a brush, the leap of an athlete, or the quiet conversation of a mentor, he’s shaping a more compassionate and connected Canberra.

A Message to Anyone Struggling

To those who may be facing dark times of their own, Dan has this to say:

“Don’t be afraid to reach out and seek help. This is one of the most important points to get across. Try and focus on what you can do. Identify your passion. It’s okay to be different, our uniqueness is what makes us special.”

His words carry the weight of lived truth. And the light of someone who made it through.

Connect with Dan on Instagram or visit his website here: https://danbartart.com.au/