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:
Missing Pieces [Streaming Video]. Mark Leland, Dance World Cup, Canada, March 5, 2010.
Shah Rukh Khan: 'My job is to make people smile.' Grace Wong, CNN.com, March 1, 2010: Putting a smile on millions of faces is all in a day's work for the reigning king of Bollywood.
reachAbility, a charitable organization committed to creating an even playing field for persons with all types of disability, asks Canadians with disabilities to share their experiences with employment in “The First Person Project,” a book being published in 2010. [View call for participation PDF]
HBO Canada Presents Temple Grandin, the True Story of an Author, Animal Advocate and Autistic Hero. CNW Group, January 12, 2010: HBO Canada, a multiplex channel of Corus Entertainment's Movie Central (Western Canada) and Astral Media's The Movie Network (Eastern Canada), presents the HBO original film Temple Grandin, premiering Saturday, February 6, 2010 at 8 p.m. ET/MT.
TV Movie 'Temple Grandin' Traces Passion, Perseverance of Autistic Genius. Cassandra Szklarski, Canadian Press, February 3, 2010: When actress Catherine O'Hara came face-to-face with the remarkable woman whose life story is told in the made-for-TV movie, "Temple Grandin," she says she was overcome with a desire to hug the brilliant scientist.
Delite Candle Works is a candle making company using part of its proceeds to support a creative art class for people with ASDs in Orangeville, Ontario. Sherry Quail’s art classes encourage individuals with autism conditions to express themselves.
Claire Danes to Play Autistic Genius. Donna Kaufman, iVillage, January 12, 2010: If someone in your life is autistic, you already know that no two people on the autism spectrum are alike...in the upcoming HBO biopic Temple Grandin, Claire Danes is taking on the challenge of showing autism in a whole new light.
'Adam,' The Sundance Award-Winning Film Arrives On DVD 2/2. BroadwayWorld.com, January 5, 2010: A perplexing love story filled with entwined complexities and a very unique challenge develops in the heartfelt romantic comedy Adam, debuting on DVD February 2.
E-project Puts Technology in Hands of Young Students. Michelle Ruby, The Expositor, December 12, 2009: The Grade 7s at Major Ballachey elementary school are about to give some Nipissing University students a lesson in technology.
The Horse Boy [Review], Jennie Punter, The Globe and Mail, November 12, 2009: When parents say they would go to the ends of the Earth to help their children, it's usually a figure of speech. But that is literally what Rupert Isaacson does with his wife and their five-year-old autistic son in The Horse Boy, the story of an American family's quixotic journey to the far reaches of Mongolia. [View Trailer]
New Film, Travels WIth My Brother: "This 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." - excerpt from website.
Book Launch: Drawing Autism, the newest book from Mark Batty Publisher, celebrates the artistry and self-expression found in the drawings, paintings and collages created by individuals diagnosed with autism.
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.
Understanding Aspergers: New Film Explores Challenges of 'Little Professor' Syndrome. Robin Summerfield, Canwest News Service, August 26, 2009: In the new romantic comedy Adam, the lead character struggles to woo his neighbour, Beth.
Dancing Towards Autism Awareness. Rebekah Hammond, Richmond Review, June 10, 2009: A unique dance performance and a special cause has landed Richmond’s Aer-Elite...
Power Tools' for Special Needs: Filmmaker says arts brought out autistic son. Alicia Doyle, Ventura County Star, April 26, 2009: An artist her entire life, Keri Bowers found it only natural to immerse her son in the creative medium...
Young Filipino Musical Genius with Autism. Bing David, Autism Society Philippines (Blog), March 22, 2009: Internationally-recognized marimba prodigy with autism, Thristan “Tum Tum” Mendoza joins in celebrating the 2nd World Autism Awareness Day (WAAD) at a concert entitled “AutisMusical” on April 2 at the Activity Center of The Block, SM North, Quezon City, Philippines.
Jill Mullins, an educator with 9 years of professional experience working with children and adults who have been diagnosed with autism, seeks artwork by persons with ASDs for a publication provisionally titled Drawing Autism. View the complete call [PDF].
Special Needs Students Explore Rhythmic World of Drumming. Mary Mackay, Canadian Press, February 20, 2009: Some Prince Edward Island students have been drumming and learning to a different beat lately.
Leading a Life with Confidence. Express Features, February 19, 2009: People living with the harsh R-word, retardation, find it harder to endure the harsh world around them, than their personal intellectual disabilities. It was this point that was nailed hard by telling documentary by Pierre Tetrault, an award-winning Canadian filmmaker.
Budding Spielbergs Make Award-Winning Film. Nicola Fifield, York Press (York High School, UK), October 16, 2008: A team of talented young film-makers from York have come out top in an international contest to make an animation about the condition they suffer from...
Events:
Film Screening: Travels With my Brother, NFB Mediatheque, March 5, 2010, Toronto. [View ASC event listing].
Society of Artists for Autism (SAFA) 2nd Annual Artists for Autism Art Auction. SAFA is currently soliciting donations of art. Funds raised will support the creation of an employment/ mentoring program for Spectrum Artists, as well as the development of arts programs (music, visual art, movement and digital arts) to roll out in the summer of 2010.
Autism Society of America Presents the Premiere of Keri Bowers' Arts, a film about possibilities, disabilities & the arts. Barnsdall Gallery Theatre, 4800 Hollywood Boulevard Los Angeles, California 90027.
Belonging Art Contest Winners Now Posted. Taking IT Global, February 25, 2009 - April 15, 2009. We want to know what Belonging means to you! Belonging has multiple meanings for everyone, so make sure to submit your artwork and tell the World what it means to you.
God's Middle Name, a two-person 90 minute play, is a compelling tale of one mother’s journey through the uncharted territory of raising an autistic child. View Tour Schedule.
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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.
 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: 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.
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.
Autistic Son Reveals Family Shame and Strength [Review of The Black Balloon]. Stephen Holden, New York Times, December 5, 2008.
Autism Tale Hits Close to Home: Director Elissa Down's coming-of-age story, The Black Balloon, kicks off Aussie film festival. Greg Quill, TheStar.com, February 13, 2009: Shot in southwestern Sydney, in the same neighbourhood where Down spent part of her adolescence, the movie is a stylized version of her own coming-of-age memories.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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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