Artism: The Art of Autism

April is Autism Awareness Month

The Vision and Spectacular Art Created by People with Autism

 

Autism affects about 1 out of every 100 people.  Whether you believe that autism is a disease or are among those who are coming to the conclusion that autism is simply a variation of the way the human brain exists in nature, it really doesn’t matter. Because of its increasing frequency of occurrence, you are going to be affected.  In fact, you already have been affected.

 

In the forefront of modern efforts to help people with autism, are those who encourage them to develop their strengths, and often times these are in the creative fields of art and science.

 

People with autism may see, feel, hear and think about the world differently. In many cases, their sensory perceptions are truly different. However, while people with autism may have difficulty speaking, relating and communicating with people, they may have profound insights and capabilities in other areas. In fact, some people with autism have shown high levels of human excellence and creative ability.

 

A new book, Artism: The Art of Autism, offers an incredible glimpse into the imaginative worlds of people with Autism and their creative works.  This beautifully published book contains 218 full-color illustrations featuring 54 artists of all ages and from all parts of the world.  The book also offers up the personal insights and perceptions of the contributors themselves.

 

The artwork and voices in this book offers new insights and dimension to our understanding of how autism manifests differently in each person.  Here’s a sampling:

 

Noah Erenberg, Born 1970, Resides in Isla Vista, California

 

Forty-year old Noah Erenberg, "I like bright colors and crazy shapes. This type of art reminds me of hip hop music. It seems as if shapes come out of my head. Abstract means 'from my head.”

 

Steven Selpal, Born on 11/11/50, Resides in Palm Bay, Florida

 

 

Sixty-year old Steven Selpal who attributes an LSD trip at age 18 to attaining language, "I was tripping on LSD since I was born 11/11/50. Timothy Leary is not my hero, but I must credit him with giving me a sense of adjectives to describe my daily life. Think for yourself and question authority."

 

Amanda Lamunyon, Born 1995, Resides in Enid, Oklahoma

 

 

FIfteen-year old Amanda LaMunyon wants to encourage people with learning differences that "their challenges are also their gifts."  Amanda was chosen by the Autism Society of America as the “Outstanding Individual with Autism of the Year 2008.” She won the “The President’s Daily Points of Light” award for her volunteer service and in 2008 won the Council of Exceptional Children (CEC) “Yes, I Can” award for her art. “My art is very personal. I feel like part of me is coming out of my hands.”

 

Temple Grandin, Born 1947, Resides in Fort Collins, Colorado

 

   

Patent drawing for typical retainer system for kosher slaughter

“When I was a child, art was my favorite subject in school. My parents always encouraged my ability in art. Half of the cattle in the United States are handled in facilities I designed. Being a visual thinker really helped me in my design work. In my book ‘Thinking in Pictures’ I explain how words narrate the videos in my imagination. When I design equipment I can test run it in my mind like a three-dimensional virtual reality system. I owe my success to my mother and good teachers.” Temple Grandin

David Idell, Born 1993, Resides in Thousand Oaks, California

 

 

 

I think people who are considered ‘genius’ were all probably obsessed with a subject and followed their obsessions. I am not saying David is a genius, but I do not see the harm in letting him explore this obsession with numbers.” Cindy Idell, David’s Mom

 

David James Svoboda, Born 1982, Shaw AFB, South Carolina

 

 

DJ Svoboda, who had a hard time making friends in high school, created an entire village of imaginary creatures called Imagiville where, as DJ states "everyone is loved and accepted for who and what they are. Everyone in Imagiville helps and cares for one another."  

 

Trevor Aycox, Born 1995, Resides in Healdton, Oklahoma

 

 

Fifteen-year old Trevor Aycox from Oklahoma "When I do my art, I see what I can really do. I'm not very good at things like sports that are important around here. It makes me feel good about myself to go past the limits that are set by me or other people."

 

Ben Diez, Born 1987, Layton, Utah

 

 

23-year old artist Ben Diez, "Autism has been a gift that has allowed me to develop and excel in art."

 

Gregory Blackstock, Born 1943, Resides in Seattle, Washington

 

 

 

67-year old Seattle artist Gregory Blackstock paints lists of things, such as 161 flags on eggs called "More colorful Egg Pattern Favorites," or Early Boeing Jets, or 54 types of barns.

 

Some don't like the word autism, such as 38-year old Natalie Totire, who says the term autism "tells me I am an uncaring, disconnected person. Disconnectiveness is a very painful feeling to me, and it has been a painful reality I have felt so much, I would consider it almost a bad word."

 

Colin Zimbleman states in the book "autism is an exceptional phenomenon that has taken our cultural imagination by storm. ... It offers a chance to catch a glimpse of an awe-filled vision of the world that may otherwise pass us by."

 

At once, inspiring and myth defying, the art spans a range of emotion and subject material and is accompanied by detailed quotes and commentary from each of the artists and their families. The book is a valuable benchmark for anyone who is interested exploring the creative potential of the human mind.

 

 

 

Artism: The Art of Autism

Shattering Myths about People Living on the Spectrum

Debbie Hosseini

Edited by Rosa C. Martinez, Ph.D. 

 

List $34.95

144 pages, 12 x 9 inches with 218 full-color illustrations

and 4 essays by experts in the field. Priced at $34.95

ISBN 978-0-9831308-0-2

First Trademark Edition, 2011

 

For more information visit http://www.artismtoday.com/