Donna Williams’ Blog

I recently met Rosa Martinez when she purchased some of my artworks and invited me to join other savant artists with autism in a series of New York exhibitions. She’s dedicated her life to working with people with autism and channeled some of this into her deep love of art. Here’s our interview.

DONNA:
Hi Rosa. First of all what is your work?

ROSA:
I have been an educator in the field of autism for approximately 26 years. I started out as a teacher in the first Public School classroom in Brooklyn solely for children with autism. In 1985 I attended Columbia University, Teachers College and enrolled in the first Masters program in Adolescent Autism in the country. I remained a public school teacher for 18 years in the NYC Board of Education. During these years I attained a Ph.D. in Behavioral Disorders from Columbia University. Over the past 10 years I have devoted my career to developing new programs for children on the autism spectrum in schools where there were no such programs. I volunteer across a number of different autism organizations and present workshops and lectures to parents and professionals about autism, advocacy, resources, curriculum and behavioral interventions. Over the years , throughout my clinical teaching experience (early intervention to adulthood) I have crossed paths with many students who had special abilities and special interests.

DONNA:

How did this lead into your involvement with arts.

ROSA:

About three years ago I had the opportunity to meet a young artist with autism (Ping Lian Yeak). He was introduced to me by Dr. Laurence Becker, who produced “With Eyes Wide Open”, an international award-winning documentary film about Richard Wawro’s life and art.

DONNA:
Yes, I met Ping when we were exhibiting together in QLD. His mother told me we’d already been in a show together. I was surprised as I didn’t know I was. Turned out one of the purchasers of some of my paintings was also a curator, in Virgina, and she put both of our works into a show down there. Ping’s a lovely young guy, compelled by his art and it’s expansion, quite a sense of fun.

ROSA:
Around this same time, my brother-in-law opened an art Gallery in New York. To me this was not a coincidence, but a sign that came with a voice that said “Don’t ‘dis’ the ability”.

Dr. Becker and I planned the event and I have been promoting the artwork of young artists with autism ever since. Dr. Becker also introduced me to Dr. Darold Treffert author of “Extraordinary People”, a book about Savant Syndrome. Last year I was honored to meet and work with Dr. Treffert at the “Windows of Genius” art Exhibition in Fond du Lac, Wisconsin. I have learned and been inspired by both Dr. Becker and Dr. Treffert and it is because of their motivation that I have learned so much, so quickly about the artworld, and am now officially a “curator of collections” for artworks by individuals on the autism spectrum.

DONNA:
Wild job. Who is Rosa, the New Yorker?

ROSA:
Rosa, the New Yorker is a Puerto Rican -Cuban- NewYorican who was born and raised in Brooklyn, New York. I have a husband, 2 daughters and a 165 pound American Bulldog. My hobbies are reading, music, dancing, antique shopping and art.

DONNA:
Ooo, your bulldog would scare me but I’m sure you like him.
I’ve been to New York and really buzzed in Tavern on The Green.
For those who’ve never been, tell us about this autie paradise.

ROSA:
Sorry. I have been to famous restaurants in Canada, Mexico, Puerto Rico, Santo Domingo, Aruba, The Netherlands, and almost every State in the US, but have never been to Tavern on the Green here in NY where I live.
DONNA:
Oh, then you must, just for a wander, it’s so glorious from an artists perspective. I bet Ping and Stephen Wiltshire would love it. It has a tree full of winking paper lanterns. It has a tree growing surrounded by a glass window and the tree towers out into the sky. It has a statue of a bear and all manner of Venetian colored glass chandeliers in all different colors. It has a hall of mirrors with overhead tiffany leadlight illuminated light shades. It has a tree adorned with tiny blue lights like a jacket of blue and hedges cut into animals on the way in.

ROSA:
It is often said that New Yorkers do not visit the famous sites that tourists travel the world to see in NYC. I guess this is correct.

DONNA:
New York is also the home of taxi cabs and homeless people in Central Park. It’s also the stuff of Broadway and Hollywood’s ‘other face’ and the setting of a stack of wonderful films. But you move in the New York art world. What’s that like? The art in NYC is wonderful.

ROSA:
The culture of NYC is heavily represented through the Arts. There are world famous museums such as MOMA , The MET, Whitney, etc. There are also countless art institutes. The Museums and Galleries offer a look at fine arts, contemporary, folk art, international art, etc. Whether you are an established art collector or simply a “browser” who appreciates paintings, drawings, photography, or sculptures, you will find a place to go in NY.

Areas such as Dumbo in Brooklyn and LIC in Queens are quickly becoming popular neighborhoods with upcoming gallery openings and art street fairs. Whether you want to provide a time line of art history or make a fashion statement , view a permanent collection or host a special exhibition , there is a place to do that in NY.

DONNA:
The two upcoming exhibitions, they are in two very different atmospheres. Tell us about those and what links the two shows?

ROSA:
The exhibition Autistic Savant Artworks: “Don’t ‘dis’ the ability” was first hosted in NYC in 2006 featuring the works of 4 internationally renowned artists at The Henry Gregg Gallery in Brooklyn , NY and then at the Great Hall - Cooper Union in Manhattan. I put together this original exhibition in honor of “Autism Awareness Month” and the objective was to raise awareness about the existence of autism and the abilities of autistic savants. Now here we are in 2008 commemorating the inauguration of

“World Autism Awareness Day” because of the passing of a United Nations resolution designating April 2nd as World Autism Awareness Day (WAAD) in perpetuity starting in 2008.

The 2008 United Nations exhibition (March 29 – April 4) WAAD “Don’t ‘dis’ the ability” – Artworks by Individuals on the Autism Spectrum features artworks from various autistic and world renowned autistic savant individuals from around the world to showcase the general theme of “raising awareness and changing attitudes” regarding autism spectrum disorders (ASD). Unfortunately the UN exhibition was not open to the general public. In order to reach my objective of actually creating awareness in the public at large, I felt it was necessary to make this phenomenal exhibition of which we were so honored to have several pieces of your artwork included, available to the general public. Thus, on April 9 – 10 the WAAD: “Don’t ‘dis’ the ability” exhibition will be hosted by The Manhattan Children’s Center (MCC), 124 West 95th Street, New York, NY 10025.

The concept of WAAD is to expand our understanding of the diversity of people on the autism spectrum while educating the world about the abilities and opportunities to encourage advancement in every human beyond their individual challenges. The participating artists share their contributions with the world as an extension of this message to “train the talent” and to foster independence. As a society our goal is to create awareness while strengthening relationships and expanding opportunities for individuals with developmental challenges to contribute to society educationally, socially, culturally and economically. The exhibit at MCC is open to the general public and it is FREE admission. Information is available at www.RCMAutismNotebook.com

DONNA:
The artists have such diverse styles. Who are they and do these different works transport you to different worlds? In what ways?

ROSA:
The contributing artists are from all over the globe. We have 2 artist works from Australia. This of course includes your amazing pieces and also several works by 14 year old Ping Lian Yeak.

Ping Lian is originally from Malaysia and now resides in Australia. He is actually the reason I began the “Don’t ‘dis’ the Ability” exhibition tours. He was only 12 years old when I met him and his paintings, done as early as 7 or 8 years of age were so remarkable.

There are a total of 14 artists from around the globe represented in the exhibition. Works include watercolors, acrylics, charcoals, pastels and even woodwork art. Some of the artists focus on architectural structures, while others focused on florals and landscapes. Some works depict persons without actual facial or body definition and have been internationally acclaimed to portray “ethereal” beings or qualities (Christophe Pillault and Donna Williams), while the charcoal works by Jonathan Lerman depict distinctive facial portraits. Some are impressionistic (12 year old Amanda LaMunyon) and some are reminiscent of Rembrandt (George Widener). Some are controlled by disciplined lines or categories (Gregory Blackstock and Jessica Park) or creative imagery (Seth Chwast), some are contemporary folk art (Susan Brown) and most incorporate the particular “savant memory ability” in their artwork (Temple Grandin, George Widener, Richard Wawro, Stephen Wiltshire and Gregory Blackstock).

DONNA:
Yes, when I found Christophe’s work, I was so moved by it, I so related. It was as if I found a kindred soul. We expressed ourselves with similar movement, spirituality through our art. I’d never found another artist who works like me until I found Christophe’s work. He’s the best.

ROSA:
I believe that each artists work probably transports the viewer in a different way and to different places. For example some of the landscape works appear to have so much depth that I perceive a sort of pathway that goes beyond the canvas. They tend to inspire a perception of passage to a distant yet nearby space. I often wonder if this is what the particular artist felt or intended to portray in his art.

DONNA:
I know you bought one of my own paintings and gave it a home in your house. As an artist it’s really wild to create a piece and then ship it overseas. But what’s it like receiving work both as curator and as a personal collector?

ROSA:
As a curator, it is emotionally very difficult. Sometimes I have works in my possession for months before the actual set-up of an exhibit. The majority of these works become part of my environment and I develop a personal attachment to each piece of art based on the message that has been conveyed to me from the actual artwork and the connection I have made with the individual artist. I don’t have any adopted children, but I would imagine this is what it feels like to be a “foster parent”.

DONNA:
That is lovely. I’m sure you can understand from my social background, it is wonderful to feel I am accepted by proxy this way, through my art.

ROSA:
As a personal collector I am fortunate enough to be able to have first dibbs on purchasing artworks that I receive for exhibitions. One advantage is that I can purchase a piece that really has an effect on me (as your piece did) and then exhibit it with a sign that says “FOR EXHIBITION ONLY” or “SOLD” because it is now part of my personal collection.

Regarding my purchase of your art work “Got It” represents for me a feeling of triumph. The significance I get from this artwork is one of personal achievement in my career as an advocate for ASD and one of encouragement and inspiration to all who come through my doors and into my living room.

DONNA:
Yes, that’s what people purchasing my art means to me, it’s a dialogue, and I’m buzzed when people tell me what it says to them. I believe a piece of art can be a meditation space, something which says something rather essence-tial to someone’s soul.

My brother, Duel, and I are both artists and my father’s side of the family seems full of writers, artists and musicians. Do you see a relationship between autism and artism?

ROSA:
I have always viewed art as a form of communication. Given the largely common thread of social as well as communication limitations across most individuals on the autism spectrum, I believe the autism strengthens the artism as a form of engagement with the environment as well as a form of communication. I also believe that the art created by some persons with autism is for them, a “voice” that no one can control or mold. It is that particular artists own creation and his or her “words on canvas”.

DONNA:
Totally. I feel that my music, art and writing are my voice. I got functional speech by late childhood but part of me feels like a dancing bear using it, the other part is glad I have it so I can function, but typing feels far more normal and art, music and screating art through movement such as in sculpture, these feel closer to the core of me as a communicative being.

What do you think autistic artists and the art they produce has to offer the world?

ROSA:
I believe an artist is an artist, and what an artist with autism offers the world is really not very different from what any other artist has to offer the world. Art is really defined by the viewer.

“What significance does this art piece have for me?”

If the viewer finds significance in the work , it is “art”.

Art offers information about culture, reflections about life, aesthetic enjoyment , etc. Every offering is significant based upon the inspiration it yields to the viewer. In today’s society I see art by individuals with ASD as cultural information. It offers information regarding the increased prevalence rates of autism; it offers information about awareness of autism; it offers information about humanity; and it is a testament to our “lack information” about the phenomenal workings of the human brain.

DONNA:
Yes, I totally agree. For me, autistic is an adjective, it is also a condition and it also embodies culture for both the person with autism and the responses and mindsets of the world they live in.
Similarly, art of those with autism is both the experience of the art itself by the artist and the viewer, and it is also a sharing of perceptual, emotional, social, communication realities, normalities, with those who may share these or journey to the worlds of those for whom these are quite unusual. Art of those with autism is also, as you say, a cultural education which challenges existing mindsets, poses questions, invites social change.

For those interested, what are the details of the two upcoming exhibitions?

ROSA:
The United Nations Exhibition was not open to the general public. It was hosted in the Secretariat building which is the administrative homebase to the UN delegates. It was sponsored by Autism Speaks and the Qatar Mission. The opening reception was by special invitation only due to the limited space capacity. It was a wonderful Exhibition and a wonderful Opening. Twelve year old artist Amanda LaMunyon eloquently recited a poem she wrote about Asperger’s Syndrome live, and artist George Widener aka “the Human Calculator” awed many guests with his lightning calculator skills by telling people how many minutes old they were seconds after hearing their date of birth.

The Manhattan Children’s Center Exhibition will hold many more works than were displayed at the UN. In addition there will be original artworks, limited and unlimited prints, and artist related miscellaneous materials (such as cards, CD’s, etc.) available for purchase or…no obligation simply enjoy the exhibition. However, there will be something for every budget. In addition, the artist Gregory Blackstock will be at MCC live…drawing, conversing and book signing. If we had a piano at MCC , he would be doing that too! “Don’t ‘dis’ the ability” at The Manhattan Children’s Center is open to the general public and admission is FREE. Exhibition hours are:

April 9th : 12:00 PM - 2:00 PM and 3:00 PM - 7:00 PM

April 10th : 10:00 AM - 2:00 PM and 3:00 PM - 8:00 PM

More information may be accessed at www.RCMAutismNotebook.com

To RSVP or to arrange group visits to the exhibition please contact

jlewis@manhattanchildrenscenter.org

DONNA:
Thanks for being interviewed. Wish I could be there.

ROSA:
Thank you Donna! Thank you for your contributions to the WAAD Exhibitions as well as your contributions to society as a musician, an artist, a sculptor and a writer. I read your autobiography “Nobody Nowhere” way back in the early 1990’s and am so honored to be able to have done this interview with you today. Although you cannot join us at MCC , you will be there in your paintings “Imaginary Friend” and “Here They Come”.

DONNA:
Cool.

Donna Williams *)
author, artist, composer, screenwriter
http://www.donnawilliams.net
http://www.auties.org