SUPPORTING RESEARCH- NEURODIVERSITY

My project is based around the experience of neurodiverse individuals in our current society, and aims to be an artistic portrayal of this through the use of 3D space. My world will be developed based on information I have sourced from neurodivergent individuals themselves, taking their anecdotes, opinions and ideas about the ways in which they see and live life. I am to create a narrative from these anecdotes, hence why I have thus far been exploring world building and successful implementation of surrealism within video game and VR experiences. However, I would also like to develop a deeper understanding of the neurodivergent experience- how does it differ from my own, how could this be translated in my chosen media?

During a study from Neuron by scientist Shuo Wang et al., a hypothesis was drawn that people with ASD perceive the world in an atypical way, paying attention to stimuli that people with neurotypical brains neglect, and perhaps not acknowledging other details that neurotypical brains will perceive as instinct. This theory was then tested with eye tracking software, and it was deduced that people with ASD had a preference for focusing on the central point of an image, regardless of any other visual stimuli in the form of an object placed elsewhere on the page. On a whole, this somewhat suggests that physically, people with autism or some other type of neurological disorder do see the world differently from neurotypical perception. However, this is in a literal sense- the struggles of being 'different' can cause our environment to be incomprehensible in terms of social behaviour, noise, lights and change

'Autistic individuals, who perceive and process sensory inputs differently than neurotypicals, may also have trouble filtering out background noise, spot patterns more quickly, or be particularly sensitive to certain smells or tastes.

This heightened sensory awareness helps explain why many on the spectrum are gifted musicians, despite not being able to read sheet music. Additionally, some evidence suggests that autistics may think in more concrete terms than others and struggle when it comes to abstract thinking.' From - Cross River Therapy, Steven Zauderer.

Therefore, even daily tasks that seem easy for most individuals can prove extra challenging for those struggling with autism or ADHD- from the stimuli that is around them. Additionally, certain social behaviours may be perplexing for these people: abstract concepts of communication such as sarcasm or exaggeration may be lost in translation.

However, whilst living and integrating into a society that is not built for them, neurodivergent people can provide support and creative solutions to a variety of areas. They tend to be creative knowledgable about subjects they are interested in, and detail orientated.

NADIA

Another source is a practical study undertaken at the Childhood Development research unit, University of Nottingham. A young autistic child, Nadia, was observed to have significant abilities in drawing. Initially, she fixated on drawing horses, and would do so frequently (p.11), however, as she grew, this ability developed to other animals, vehicles, objects and human figures.

Nadia was recorded to have difficulties communicating, speaking and listening to her doctors and those around her, from her recorded behaviours by psychological analysis (p.5), however her drawings of her preferred subject, Horses, were developed and to an incredible level of detail that did not match her age of three years. (left) This study was completed during a time where resources on autism were undeveloped, mainly taking place from 1974, and seemingly doctors and experts could not make sense of her prognosis. However, she is an early example of how neurodivergent people may turn to their own forms of art and media to help explain and communicate the world around them. Not only is her art detailed and beyond the skill level for children aged 3-5 during the time recorded, it also adopts her own individualistic style.

Inspired by Nadia's story, I have researched a neurodivergent practitioner, who like many other artists with autism, convey their condition through their work.

AMRIT KHURANA

Amrit Khurana is an autistic artist from India, who creates colourful scenes and a vibrant array of artworks that she feel expresses herself as an individual and aids her perception of the world around her.

From an article by the Art of Autism, a magazine that focuses on giving spotlight to autistic artists and creators- at age 19, art is Amrit’s primary form of communication and social integration. She spends every day painting from 9:00 AM – 3:00 PM. Her painting has matured from representational to abstract over the last few years. She is fond of using texture and vibrant hues.

Amrit creates paintings and drawings from imagery she has seen once, perhaps on TV or in a book, and replicates it in her own way. She tends to use exaggerated colour and create bustling scenes that convey life in her city seen through her own eyes, as well as being based off her own lived experiences. She does not often communicate verbally, yet uses her art to tell her story for her, as well as showcase how she sees the things around her.

From Amrit's blog, that is managed by her mother;

'With little to say in person, Amrit speaks through her paintings with unbridled clarity. The inspiration as always are the common people, the day to day affairs of men and women who we pass by, never sparing a thought or a glimpse. These unsung characters are transformed into strong, vibrant personas on her canvas.

Her sense of composition along with the use of a distinct colour palette touches the soul and transcends the art aficionados into a world of sublime fantasy.'

I am inspired by her ability to take her experience not just with autism, but her life, surroundings and experiences and translate it distinctly through unique artwork. I hope that, for MICROCOSM, I can achieve a similar affect, as the energy and atmosphere created by her artwork depicts a colourful view into the world of someone on the spectrum.

SOURCE

STUDY: Autism perception and eye tracking. Conducted by Shuo Wang (2015). Available at: https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S0896627315008314

BOOK: NADIA- a case of extraordinary drawing ability in an autistic child. (p5, p.11, p.15 onward)
Lorna Selfe, 1977, Academic Press

Cross River Therapy:https://www.crossrivertherapy.com/autism/how-do-autistic-people-see-the-world

Amrit Khurana - the Art of Autism :https://the-art-of-autism.com/amrit-khurana-autistic-artist-from-noida-india/

Amrit's site, and personal blog:
https://www.amritkhurana.com
http://amritkhurana93.blogspot.com

RESEARCH

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