How many artists can say they earned their first commission when they were only 8 years old? The only one we know of happens to have autism in addition to an amazing creative talent that is known throughout the world. His name is Stephen Wiltshire, and for all of his accomplishments and sheer determination, we’ve chosen him to be this month’s Story of Hope. Please enjoy!
Communicating through art
Stephen was born in London in 1974. According to his website, he was mute as a child with no language at all, and he lived entirely in his own world. At three, he was diagnosed with autism. He was fortunate to receive early intervention at a school dedicated to children with autism.
His teachers noticed that the only pastime he enjoyed was drawing. He started drawing animals first, then London buses, and finally London’s landmark buildings. In this article, he said, “I started drawing at the age of three, as communication was not an option for me at the time. It was my form of language.”
It was his love of drawing that also led him to talk. Teachers encouraged him to use words when asking for the art supplies he wanted. His first words were pencil and paper! He was fully talking by the age of 9.
Recognizing an artistic savant
One teacher in particular understood Stephen’s talent and encouraged him by taking him on drawing excursions around the city and entering his work in children’s art competitions. After winning many awards, local press outlets became suspicious of how such a young child could produce the masterful drawings he was creating.
Despite the doubts, Stephen quickly proved himself to be an artistic savant with photographic memory, selling his first work at the age of 7 and shortly after being commissioned by his country’s prime minister to create a drawing of the Salisbury Cathedral. The nation’s eyes were on him. And it wasn’t long before the world knew about his incredible talent for drawing buildings and architectural landscapes in great detail after only seeing them for a few minutes.
Drawing the world
At 13, he published his first book of sketches, bringing him more and more international attention. He later took his first trip aboard among many, arriving in New York City to draw its legendary skyscrapers, like the Empire State Building and the Chrysler Building. Those drawings as well as others were featured in his second book.
He later would travel to other destinations on a drawing tour that included Venice, Amsterdam, and even Moscow, attracting crowds wherever he stopped. In Singapore, as an example, he had 150,000 visitors to his gallery and live performance space in just five days!
He went on to publish two more books, and his works were also being exhibited in venues around the world. Stephen took on his largest project in 2005, when he went to Tokyo to make a panoramic drawing – the largest of his career – of the city. Two months later, in similar fashion, he drew a detailed picture of Rome, including the Vatican and St. Peter’s Cathedral, entirely from memory.
In 2019, the newly redesigned 80th floor observatory of the Empire State Building officially reopened with a reproduction of Stephen’s panorama drawing of the city he created in 2017 wrapping the walls with his vision. The $165 million redevelopment also includes a new 10,000 square feet museum space where visitors can purchase reproductions of his work.
“Do the best you can and never stop.”
Stephen’s motto is great advice for all of us. He says the best thing about his success is all the people he gets to meet. “It makes me feel good and happy because it (his work) makes people smile. When they smile, I smile.” Those are amazing words from a man with autism who at one time didn’t relate to anyone.
For his contributions to the art world, Queen Elizabeth II named Stephen as a Member of the Order of the British Empire, a British order of chivalry, rewarding contributions to the arts and sciences, work with charitable and welfare organizations, and public service outside the civil service.
To give your child with autism the very best opportunity for a happy and meaningful life where they can reach their full potential like Stephen, contact The Behavior Exchange. Our autism and ABA therapy experts can help bring out the best in your child!
