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.
By:
Julia Kellman Imprint: Praeger Publishers Inc Country of Publication: United States Dimensions:
Height: 229mm,
Width: 152mm,
Spine: 12mm
Weight: 397g ISBN:9780897897358 ISBN 10: 0897897358 Pages: 160 Publication Date:28 February 2001 Recommended Age: From 7 to 17 years Audience:
College/higher education
,
Professional and scholarly
,
Professional & Vocational
,
A / AS level
,
Further / Higher Education
Format:Hardback Publisher's Status: Active
JULIA KELLMAN is Assistant Professor of Art Education, School of Art and Design, University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign.