Rediscovering Self: The Layers of Late-Discovered Neurodiversity

The Autistic Dissolve

Acrylic, pencil and collage on paper, 75.9 x 57 cm

The Autistic Dissolve is a powerful visual exploration of the experience of feeling disconnected and overwhelmed as an autistic individual navigating a neurotypical world. The composition features the artist's ghostly, partially obscured faces emerging from a swirling, turbulent background dominated by shades of blue and white.

Hidden Dialogues

Acrylic, pencil and collage on paper, 75.9 x 57 cm

Hidden Dialogues is an introspective piece that delves into the internal conversations and conflicting thoughts often kept beneath the surface. The composition features fragmented faces emerging from a dark, swirling background, their expressions partially obscured by scribbled text and abstract lines. The interplay of blue and black hues and the erratic, hand-drawn script evokes a sense of confusion and vulnerability as if these hidden dialogues are struggling to break free.

Fragmented

Acrylic, pencil and collage on paper, 75.9 x 57 cm

An introspective piece, Fragmented delves into the internal conversations and conflicting thoughts often kept beneath the surface. Collage on paper, a layered and textural exploration of the subconscious, the composition features fragmented faces and disembodied eyes emerging from a dark, swirling background. The interplay of blue and black hues and the erratic, hand-drawn script evokes a sense of confusion and vulnerability, as if these hidden dialogues are struggling to break free.

Resonant Joy A & B

Acrylic and watercolour on paper, Each 46 x 83.9 cm

Resonant Joy A & B are a vibrant and dynamic diptych that captures the essence of unbridled happiness and the uplifting power of self-expression. Together, they showcase a figure bathed in a spectrum of radiant colours. The left panel features a figure with outstretched arms, seemingly embracing the swirling energy around them. The right panel, "Resonant Joy B," continues this explosion of colour, embodying the joy that resonates from within and radiates outward. The bold, energetic brushstrokes and bright, saturated hues convey a sense of movement and emotional intensity.

The Limit

Acrylic on paper, 29.7 x 42 cm

A raw and evocative depiction of emotional and physical strain, The Limit captures the moment when one feels pushed to the edge. The muted colour palette of greys and blacks, accented with harsh, scribbled lines, emphasises the intensity of the internal turmoil. Fragmented words and phrases surround the figure scrawled across the background, visually conveying the overwhelming pressure and the desperation for relief.

Overwhelm

Acrylic on paper, 29.7 x 42 cm

Overwhelm is a visceral portrayal of the intense emotional state of being consumed by anxiety and stress. A figure outlined in stark black at the centre of the composition appears trapped within a vortex of chaotic, circular brushstrokes that mirror the turmoil of overwhelming emotions. Words and phrases are scrawled across the piece, spiralling around the figure, further emphasising the suffocating pressure that accompanies such a state of mind.

Authentic Self

Acrylic on paper, 29.7 x 42 cm

Authentic Self is a powerful visual representation of the journey toward self-acceptance and the shedding of external facades. Depicting a figure sitting in a meditative pose, their body rendered in soft, warm tones while their head dissolves into the surrounding abstract textures. The use of golden yellows and muted greys suggests a moment of transcendence. The swirling brushstrokes around the figure create a dynamic sense of movement. In contrast, the figure's open posture and the ethereal quality of the composition convey a sense of peace and liberation.

Masking

Acrylic, pencil and collage on paper, 84.8 x 84.2 cm

Masking is a poignant exploration of the complex, often hidden layers of identity that individuals present to the world. The central figure, the artist as a child, partially obscured in a monochromatic collage, stands amidst a dark blues and blacks backdrop, with fragmented text and chaotic lines symbolising the dissonance between the inner self and the outward facade. The textual layers and random marks suggest the emotional and mental effort of maintaining these masks.

You Don’t Look Autistic

Acrylic and collage on paper, 96 x 96.8 cm

A compelling and insightful piece that challenges stereotypes You Don’t Look Autistic invites a deeper understanding of neurodiversity. Featuring fragmented portraits of autistic-coded characters from popular culture, composed of diverse, overlapping patterns and colours, the dynamic brushstrokes and contrasting hues encourage viewers to look beyond surface impressions and embrace a more nuanced and empathetic perspective on what it means to be autistic.

Outsider

Acrylic and pencil on paper, 52 x 83.5 cm

The artwork "Outsider" from the Rediscovering Self Exhibition is

A haunting portrayal of isolation and the experience of feeling disconnected from those around you, Outsider uses acrylic and pencil on paper to depict a solitary figure standing apart from a crowd of faceless silhouettes. The central figure, drawn in white, is surrounded by scribbled text that conveys the inner thoughts and emotions of alienation. The contrast between the stark, lonely figure and the indistinct crowd emphasises the theme of exclusion. At the same time, the layered textures and abstract forms create a sense of depth and emotional intensity.

Discovery

Acrylic and pencil on paper, 52 x 83.5 cm

A compelling exploration of the moment of self-awareness and transformation is captured in Discovery. Divided in two, a translucent, white form, ghostly and ethereal, appears to be emerging from the darkness. Surrounding them are shadowy silhouettes rendered in deep reds and purples that convey a sense of intensity and struggle. The text, inscribed in flowing script, weaves through the composition, echoing the thoughts and emotions accompanying this journey of self-discovery.

Dawn

Acrylic and pencil on paper, 52 x 83.5 cm

Dawn vividly represents the emergence of self-awareness and the journey towards enlightenment. A powerful image of a figure reaching upward toward a radiant red light embodying the breakthrough of understanding and self-realisation. The surrounding text, etched into the background, echoes thoughts of personal growth, transformation, and the quest for identity. The use of deep reds and purples amplifies the moment's intensity, capturing the emotional depth of this pivotal stage in self-discovery.

Imposter

Acrylic and pencil on paper, 149.5 x 92.2 cm

A striking and reflective piece, Imposter delves into the unsettling emotions tied to the experience of imposter syndrome. Combining acrylic and pencil on paper creates a haunting visage partially emerging from a dark, textured background. The figure's eyes, rendered in vivid blues and purples, seem to peer out from the shadows, surrounded by chaotic, overlapping lines and marks that evoke confusion, self-doubt, and inner turmoil.

Sensory Overload

Acrylic, pencil and collage on paper, 150 x 93.5 cm

Featuring a haunting array of disembodied eyes that emerge from a dark, swirling background, Sensory Overload is an evocative mixed-media piece that vividly portrays the chaotic experience of sensory overwhelm. The use of sharp, vivid colours interspersed with scrawling text and abstract lines conveys a sense of confusion and disarray, capturing the viewer's attention and drawing them into the tumultuous inner world depicted. The layering of different distorted self-portraits intensifies the visual complexity, embodying the intense and often overpowering sensory experiences the artist explores in this compelling work.