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Focusing on Raw, Unfiltered Autistic Experience. And I can’t seem to deliver it without words, music, poetry, art…

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CONTENT NOTE: Some images may be disturbing.

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Focusing on Raw, Unfiltered Autistic Experience…

I haven’t updated my art portfolio here since August. Tbh, I’ve been busy producing a blizzard of new art… and a few accompanying articles and podcasts.

On my mind this Fall 2023?
Raw,
Unfiltered,
Authentic,
Lived,
Autistic,
Experience.

And I can’t seem to deliver it without words, music, poetry, art…

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“In the Back Row…”

#AltText: The digital image titled “In the Back Row…” portrays a shirtless late-20s white male seated in a darkened theater, the dim silhouettes of an audience around him, faces obscured and indistinct. The young man’s exposed torso and open posture contrast sharply with the anonymity and concealment of the figures in the shadows, reflecting the vulnerability and exposure often felt by those who live with autism as they navigate social settings. This image encapsulates the themes from the tale of an autistic adult’s moment of liberation — a poignant Halloween memory where the theater’s darkness becomes a sanctuary, a place where one can unmask and embrace their authentic self amongst those who also diverge from the norm. The surrounding figures, vague and unfocused, emphasize the isolation that can accompany this unmasking, even in a crowd. The photograph symbolizes the journey from hiding one’s true self towards the raw, unfiltered expression of identity, resonating with the narrative of finding one’s tribe and the revelatory act of casting aside societal expectations to live out loud and authentically.
👉 For the article “The Night this Autistic Adult Broke Free”

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“In My Own Time”

#AltText: “Time Stream Meltdown” is an imagined pulp fiction book cover. The image depicts a vivid and complex portrait of a skull. The skull is a mosaic of mechanical and time-related elements, showcasing a range of intricate gears, dials, and watch faces that replace the usual bone structure. The upper portion of the skull is adorned with colorful components like watch faces, a compass, and various mechanical parts, suggesting a mind filled with the relentless passage of time and the mechanics of thought. The eyes are particularly striking — one eye socket contains a living eye, conveying the notion of life within decay, while the other is dark and hollow, hinting at the absence of life or the passage into oblivion. The overall composition is a powerful metaphor for the complexity of thought, the inescapability of time, and the blend of life and death within us all. Title reads: “Johnny Profane Âû — Time Stream Meltdown.” Teaser text reads: “After a nuclear meltdown, the Time Stream flows up, down, sideways… Backwards.” A side note: I owe props to my favorite surreal-adelic painter, Bob Pepper, and his famous book cover for “Do Androids Dream of Electric Sheep,” by Philip K. Dick.

👉 For an unpublished article on autistic time, “Every Clock Is Handgun Pointed at My Autistic Head”

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“Banging Heads”

#AltText: The digital illustration “Banging Heads” portrays a cubist rendition of a young person in a moment of intense expression. The face is captured mid-motion, as if in contact with an unseen barrier, emphasizing a sense of impact. The style is abstract, with geometric shapes and contrasting colors fragmenting the image, which may symbolize the inner turmoil and frustration often experienced by those on the autism spectrum when confronted with overwhelming situations. The use of cubism reflects the multifaceted nature of such experiences, conveying both the complexity and the intensity of the moment.

👉 For the article “Calm Down!” Why is this the WORST Advice You Can Give an Autistic Person?”

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“Einstein: Autistic Prophet of Dark Time”

#AltText: This digital artwork titled “Einstein: Autistic Prophet of Dark Time” is a layered homage to Albert Einstein, whose legacy some in the neurodivergent community feel a kinship with. Central to the image is a detailed depiction of Einstein, his expression thoughtful, framed by his unruly hair. The backdrop is a rich collage of scientific symbols and instruments, referencing his contributions to physics. Included are sketches, his hand-written E=mc² equation, and cosmic imagery like black holes, blending with abstract textures in sepia and earth tones. This visual narrative celebrates Einstein’s genius, possibly shaped by a mind akin to those within the neurodivergent spectrum, highlighting a connection felt by many who see reflections of their cognitive patterns in his life and work.

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“Autistic Leopard Enters the Secret Club”

#AltText: In “Autistic Leopard Joins the Secret Club”, a lifelike leopard with piercing eyes and distinctive spots stands upright, poised as if to push open an ornate wooden door with its right paw. Adorning its head is a whimsical red fez with the words “LEOPARD CLUB” and an emblem featuring leopards. The cap adds a touch of the surreal to the scene, suggesting a blend of the leopard’s wild essence and a peculiar sense of belonging. The backdrop is a lush, fog-shrouded jungle that fades into a mysterious haze, evoking a secretive and exclusive atmosphere. The illustration captures the leopard’s moment of transition, from the enigmatic wilds to the threshold of a clandestine society, reflecting the text’s theme of innate identity versus chosen associations.

I have a few more posts of artwork coming soon.

BTW, I have a new podcast series out on autistic education, Text/transcript, audio, and captioned video.

Support AutisticAF.me here: Paypal · Ko-Fi · Facebook Pay “ Johnny Knapp Âû “

https://ko-fi.com/autisticaf

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