Synopses & Reviews
Rather than approaching the art of precocious young artists with autism as enigmatic and symptomatic, their work is explored as having its origin in human physiology and in the intrinsic human need for meaning. The narrative images in these young artists' exceptional art serve as both evidence and focus, allowing us to see the commonalities of all art and image-making. No art has been considered more enigmatic than that of young children with autism, for their often extremely early drawings intrigue viewers with their vivid, visually-based, perspective emphasis.
Such art, often spontaneously produced by artists frequently considered retarded, is difficult to understand within the usual constructs of drawing pedagogy that emphasizes the necessity of practice and experience for mastery. However, it is a useful means of expressing one's interior self and of sharing with others a tale of one's own creation. Finally, this expression forms enduring links with other people in the common human language of lines and forms.
Synopsis
The early, spontaneous art of young artists with autism tells a story, a narrative described in the language of visual structure and forms. Not only do these artists inform us of their world in their images, they tell us of our own visual possibilities and meaning-making capacities, too.
About the Author
JULIA KELLMAN is Assistant Professor of Art Education, School of Art and Design, University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign.
Table of Contents
Introduction
Artists, Autism and a Tale of Structure
Art's Eye, Art's Mind
Jamie: Architect and Systems Planner
Drawing with Peter: Narrative and Art
Making Real: Katie and Mark
Current Research: Directions and Suggestions
The Queen of Makeup and the Clock Machine
Endpaper
References
Index