News | Events | Showcase | Films/Shows | Resources
Welcome to the ASD Arts! page. This new resource is intended to serve as a showcase for a wide range of creative work which is produced by people with ASDs. It also aims to provide a creative entry point into understanding ASDs.
Autism Society Canada invites submissions of original art work from individuals with ASDs to feature on our ASD Arts! page. Please forward no more than three submissions (clear JPEG, or PNG files @ 72 dpi, and a minimum width of 500 pixels) and we will try to post as many as possible. Each file should include the name of the art work and the artist's first and last name. Artists retain full copyright. You can email submissions to: lynn@autismsocietycanada.ca
News:
Canada Council Art Bank announces new deadline for purchases: April 15, 2011.
Main Line Native's Play Deals with Challenges of Autism. Ruth Rovner, Mainline Media News, July 20, 2010: “Love and Communication” has an ambitious theme: it focuses on the struggles of a husband and wife after their son is diagnosed with autism.
The Miracle Project and Autism on the Seas have teamed up for a Group Cruise not to be missed!!!
Gold Dust Kids in the Superstitions, Nancy Lee Bausch (iUniverse.com 2010) [Book]. Gold Dust Kids in the Superstitions is a suspense novel featuring a plot that revolves around disabled children at a ranch for equine-assisted therapy in the Superstition Mountains in Arizona. This book has humor, thrills, and a focus on the abilities and sensitivities of the disabled children, all with a southwestern flavor and the mystery of the Lost Dutchman Mine at the forefront.
Super Noele and Other Fun Stories, Andrew Read-Percival [Book]. At the age of 3½ Andrew was diagnosed with Autism. This collection of stories is intended as a celebration, a way of sharing what is possible and of giving you an insight into the creativity and humour that make Andrew who is is.
Autism Song "Driven to Distance," A Sensory Journey through Autism. Pediatric Neuropsychology Child Development Centre.
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Events:
Please check back for upcoming events.
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Showcase:
 Thanks to Grace Culliton for allowing us to use her artwork in the ASC website design. Grace was born in 1988, and was diagnosed with autism at the age of five. Grace demonstrated talent in art at an early age. She has won several awards for her work. Her art is characterized by strong use of colour, and a mature sense for spatial design, patterns and textures. Visit Grace's website to learn more about her, and to view a gallery of her artwork.
Order beautiful Art Note Cards from Grace Culliton [PDF]: Popular note cards featuring original Art Prints by Grace Culliton, a young artist with autism. Grace demonstrated talent in art at an early age, and despite the significant challenges she faces as an individual with autism, has won awards and recognition for her work. Note cards are 41/2’ x 5” on high quality stock (also suitable for framing). Several series to choose from.
Ben Simcoe [Streaming Video]: Ben is a 24 year old impressionist and a person with a developmental disability (Fragile X Syndrome or we prefer, 'a chronic case of acute individuality'.) Ben has been performing his entire life for his family, however, announced a year ago that he would like to become an entertainer. He has performed his show this past year before various groups in the Vancouver lower mainland area, including Mission Association for Community Living; District of Mission’s Celebration of Community Illiuminaria; Youth Unlimited; Burnaby Association for Community Inclusion; Station X; and Mission Foursquare Church’s Women’s Retreat. This summer, Ben will be competing in the Red Robinson BC Talent Showdown at the PNE. Ben does not have a fee for his show however, will accept honorariums when they are given. Ben and his family's goal is to honour his gifts while shaking up the perceptions many have of people with developmental disabilities. They would also like to offer hope to young families who have a child with a developmental disability. Ben continues to learn new voice impressions and has about eighty different characters. He closes his 15-20 minute show singing, ‘What a Wonderful World’ in Louis Armstrong’s voice. If you are interested in having Ben at your event, please contact him at bensimcoe@hotmail.com, or Debby Simcoe at debbysimcoe@shaw.ca.
 David's Art. David Beresford is a Canadian illustrator and musician who works in multiple media: "Art is something I have always loved doing since I was 5 years old and I have been working and progressing my creativity ever since then. While I was growing up, I didn't have much social interaction with people, so I found that the best way to get a response from others was from my drawings and paintings. To me, art is life and it never loses its true value when a piece is created." [excerpt from website]
Claire Morrall: The author explores Asperger's syndrome in her latest novel. Danuta Kean, The Independent: The main protagonist in her new novel, The Language of Others, is another enigma. On first impressions, Jessica is a troublesome child, painfully withdrawn and, as Morrall admits, "difficult to deal with". As the story unfolds, her inability to read people, especially Andrew, the tantrum-throwing violinist whom she goes on to marry, is frustrating. Later, her passivity when faced with Andrew's abuse and her 24-year-old son Joel's adolescent reticence is infuriating. But as Morrall reveals Jessica's past and Jessica narrates her present, it becomes apparent that her inability to deal with the mess of human emotion is the result of undiagnosed Asperger's syndrome... [Hodder & Stoughton publishers website]
The Horse Boy: A Father's Quest to Heal His Son. "Rupert Isaacson is the father of Rowan, a beautiful and spirited young boy with autism. Rupert and his family live in Austin, Texas, where a neighbour’s horse, Betsy, became an instrumental factor in Rowan’s healing." - Hachette Book Group. A new book and film document the Isaacson family's journey.
Erik Originals. A website showcasing a range of woodwork by Erik Warren. Existing works can be purchased through the site, and the artist can be commissioned to create custom works.
Glimpse is a new publication from The Interdisciplinary Council on Developmental and Learning Disorders that showcases the unique perspective contained in the writings and artwork of individuals with a history of autism and other developmental disabilities. [PDF]
Kaleidoscope Ride. KiSara (Kim Souch and Sara Sobey Souch) are a mother-daughter musical duo who have been touring Ontario since 1997. Their family's journey through Autism and ASD has culminated in Kaleodoscope - a musical celebration of abilities and life. Music Video: [View YouTube video]
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Myimagiville and our Imagifriends, D.J. Svoboda. Imagiville and its inhabitants are the culmination of Daniel Svoboda's creative efforts in response to some difficult years at school. An aspiring writer and illustrator, Svoboda's art offers a path from the encounter with difference to its acceptance. The site showcases Svoboda's work and the services that he provides as an artist. |
The Pilgrims: The Jounrey to A New World for Autism. Amanda Copeland, Raygun Productions/Pilgrim Pictures. Three amazing, courageous children on the autism spectrum lead the way along the fabled Camino de Santiago, walking for a revolution in delivery of diagnosis and intervention for the autism epidemic world-wide.
The only film of its kind ever made about autism. Coming January 2009.
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Rudely Interrupted |
Live at UN Headquarters |
Rudely Interrupted, whose 5 out of 6 musicians share a range of intellectual and physical disabilities, has been making waves in the Australian pop-rock scene. The band was the first ever indie act invited to play at the UN headquarters to mark the International Day of Persons with Disabilities in 2008. [View photo set from UN HQ performance]
Steven Wiltshire is a London-based artist, named Member of the Order of the British Empire in recognition of his services to the art world. Best known for his panoramic cityscapes (often drawn entirely from memory), Wiltshire's work has garnered critical attention since his childhood. In 2006, he opened a permanent gallery of his work at the Royal Opera Arcade.
YouTube Clip: Missing Pieces choreographed by Mark Leland, Dance World Cup, Canada, March 5, 2010.
YouTube Clip: Stephen Wiltshire has been called the "Human Camera." In this short excerpt from the film Expedition ins Gehim (Beautiful Minds: A Voyage into the Brain), Wiltshire takes a helicopter journey over Rome and then draws a panoramic view of what he saw, entirely from memory.
YouTube Clip: Alex, ten years old, has been diagnosed with mild-moderate autism since the age of four. This year, Alex overcame many of his fears to start his dream of becoming a comedian, and did a stand up comedy routine for his school talent show (in front of about 500 students!).
YouTube Clip: John "Hai" Knapp, a musician/singer/songwriter and healthcare activist in the United States, performs "Viva la Companie." Knapp expresses a deep concern with the lack of affordable healthcare in the US, and his music as well as advocacy work call attention to a critical need for reform.
YouTube Clip: Little Autistic Drummer Boy [sic.]. "An 11yr old autistic boy (my son, Malikai) goes from 'drifting along...' to 'Full Steam Ahead!' in one 1/2 hr session after 2 & 1/2 yrs of lessons. This has been edited to 10 min. to give you the "feel of it" but I had to take out a lot of really cool stuff. Watch the 3 part series for the full 1/2 hour."
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Films/Television Shows
Adam
This film is a love story about a man named Adam (Hugh Dancy) who has Asperger’s Syndrome, a high functioning form of autism. Adam finds it difficult to be with others and often escapes into his love of space exploration. When Beth (Rose Byrne) moves into the apartment above him, he uses his unique, often funny, and sometimes painful social skills to begin to build the personal relationship that he so desperately desires. Adam is a romantic character piece about the obstacles to intimacy and the compromises we all make for love.
After Thomas
U.K. BBC TV movie. 2007. A true story about a couple's struggles to meet the challenges of their son's autism and his increased ability to communicate through the family dog.
ARTS: A Film About Possibilities, Disabilities & The Arts.
U.S.A 2009. Painting, drawing, writing, music, drama and other forms of arts are expressed beautifully by and through individuals with disabilities in Keri Bower's new film, ARTS. — Sharing the power of the arts used to improve social, emotional, cognitive, expressive, and life skills in individuals with challenges is at the heart of this glimpse into pure talent demonstrated by people with disabilities.
The Asperger's Difference: For and About Young People with Asperger's Syndrome.
Autism the Musical
U.S.A. 2008. Autism the Musical is a documentary that follows the lives of five children with autism that write and produce their own musical. Available on HBO On Demand.
Autism is a World.
A coproduction of CNN Presents and State of the Art, Inc. by Gerry Wurzburg. In Autism is a World, Sue takes the audience on an extraordinary journey inside autism to explain what she feels and does. How she relates to others. What it has been like to go to college and run her own life. This is a view of autism as it has rarely been seen--from the inside out.
The Black Balloon
Australia. 2008. An autistic older brother takes the family on an emotional roller-coaster ride.
The Boy Inside
Canada. 2006. Filmmaker Marianne Kaplan turns the camera on her own family, creating a rare and intimate first-hand portrait of living with Asperger Syndrome (AS). The film follows Kaplan's son Adam as he makes his way through Grade 7. His condition creates many challenges for him among his schoolmates and he is painfully aware of his separateness.
The Horse Boy
U.S.A. 2009. An intensely personal yet epic spiritual journey, The Horse Boy follows one Texas couple and their autistic son as they trek on horseback through Outer Mongolia in an attempt to find healing for him.
Mary and Max.
Australia. 2009. "Spanning 20 years and 2 continents, Mary and Max tells of a pen-pal relationship between two very different people: Mary Dinkle (Collette), a chubby, lonely 8-year-old living in the suburbs of Melbourne, Australia; and Max Horovitz (Hoffman), a severely obese, 44-year-old Jewish man with Asperger’s Syndrome living in the chaos of New York City" – excerpt from US Press Kit.
Mozart and the Whale
U.S.A. 2005. Starring Josh Hartnett and Radha Mitchell, Mozart and the Whale is a story of two individuals with Asperger’s Syndrome who develop a romantic relationship after meeting at an autism support group. Shows that individuals on the autism spectrum can and do have happy, loving relationships.
My Name is Khan
India 2010. Two of Bollywood's biggest superstars, Shah Rukh Khan and Kajol, deliver powerful performances in this epic romance that proves true love knows no boundaries. Rizwan (Khan), an Indian man with a unique way of looking at the world, moves to San Francisco and meets a vivacious single mother named Mandira (Kajol). They form a special bond and fall in love against all odds, but fate and tragedy conspire to tear them apart. That's when Rizwan embarks on a remarkable journey across America to win back the love of his life.
Rain Man
U.S.A. 1988. Golden Globe Winner for Best Film. Actor Dustin Hoffman portrays Raymond Babbitt, an autistic savant, who is being cared for by his younger brother played by actor Tom Cruise.
Snow Cake
U.S.A. 2006, Snow Cake stars Sigourney Weaver playing the role of Linda Freeman, a high-functioning woman with ASD. The story follows her friendship with a stranger and others in her small home town.
Temple Grandin
U.S.A. 2010 (TV). Based on the writings by its title subject, HBO Films’ Temple Grandin is an engaging portrait of an autistic young woman who became, through timely mentoring and sheer force of will, one of America’s most remarkable success stories.
Today's Man
U.S.A. 2006. Today's Man follows Nicky as he struggles to leave the safety of his family’s home and the comfort of his favorite TV shows in order to find a job and an apartment. Made by Nicky’s sister Lizzie Gottlieb, the film is a sister’s search to understand her brother’s mysterious inner life and a larger effort to comprehend Asperger Syndrome and the people who struggle with it.
Travels With My Brother
A short, live action/animated documentary (using computer 2-D cut-out elements) explores the relationship between Vas - a high-functioning autistic man - and his older sister Christine, who will one day be his official guardian, as they travel about their hometown of Toronto, Canada.
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Resources
Applied Theatre Research and Autism Network (ATRAN): An online network uniting professionals and parents interested in applying theatre techniques to help individuals with autism.
An Exact Mind: An Artist With Asperger Syndrome, Peter Myers, Simon Baron-Cohen and Sally Wheelwright, Jessica Kingsley Publishers, 2004.
Asperger's Syndrome and High Achievement: Some Very Remarkable People, Ioan James, Jessica Kingsley Publishers, 2005.
Awakening Minds©: A social enterprise that strives to debunk stereotypical conceptions about autism, special needs and mental illness/mental wellness.
Conversations on Creativity with Daniel Tammet. Scott Barry Kaufman, Beautiful Minds: Musings on Intelligence and Creativity in Society, Psychology Today Blogs, January 2, 2010: Daniel Tammet on his personal journey, future goals, and lessons learned.
Drawing Autism, Jill Mullin (Mark Batty Publisher 2009) [Book]: Drawing Autism celebrates the artistry and self-expression found in the drawings, paintings and collages created by individuals diagnosed with autism. The work of over 50 international contributors exhibits unique perspectives on how these individuals see the world and their places in it.
The Genesis of Artistic Creativity: Asperger's Syndrome and the Arts, Michael Fitzgerald, Jessica Kingsley Publishers, 2005.
Ideal Way: An Ontario based not-for-profit organization which is dedicated to enriching the lives of intellectually disabled individuals and groups through community education, poverty relief and a range of unique programming including but not limited to: recreational arts and literacy, arts contests, and social networking through pen pals.
Learning Disabilities, The Land of O Book Launch [MP3]. PEI Island Morning, CBC Podcast, October 20, 2009: Keefe Deighan tells us about how disabilites can be invisible but omplicated. He tells his story to Karen Mair.
Midnight in Chicago by Elyse Bruce: An international culture and tourism initiative that raises awareness of, and funds for, Autism.
The Society of Artists for Autism (SAFA): The SAFA is a non-profit organization of artists, academics and advocates, striving to make meaningful connections between health care professionals, educators, the autism advocacy community and the grassroots arts communities in the Province of Nova Scotia and all over the planet.
Writers on the Spectrum: How Autism and Asperger Syndrome have Influenced Literary Writing, Julie Brown, Jessica Kingsley Publishers, 2009.
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