Illustration on Autism
The theme of autism is represented in this image in various ways. The lone central figure is right in front of the viewer yet
he is oddly looking away and avoiding eye contact. The boy’s posture is almost fully enclosed on himself. The circular
composition draws in the viewer to the main focal point of the face to the hand to the feet to the other hand and back to the
face. This circular theme is echoed by the train track, the rug, the shape of the head and the circular swirls at the top. These
elements create the idea of coming back onto itself and being withdrawn.
The hands are the links to the outside with one holding a toy that seems to
have piqued his interest. The other hand is in a hand flapping gesture and
breaking out of the circle in a come here gesture. Although self-absorbed, the
child is saying that there is someone here that acknowledges you. The track
itself is not complete and on the left is not put together properly showing
that there is still much unknown about this disability. Autistic children
form many habits and preferences. The bare foot is a little play on this idea
plus it adds a little humor to a very serious subject. Thank you Vincent for
the inspiration. — Stéphane Denis [Email]