Echoes of Self

Mixed Media Art and the Autistic Experience

Tegan Bailey, Masking, acrylic and collage on paper, 296 x 315 mm.

Have you ever considered how the unique way we see the world shapes our creativity? This curiosity led me to a serendipitous discovery amidst the paints and photo albums in my studio, revealing the profound interplay between artistic process and mixed media art. I stumbled upon an unexpected source of inspiration. Making photo transfers using a Gelli plate set the stage for a profound breakthrough in my creative journey. One of these photos captured a young me on my first day at school. When transferred onto rice paper, the result was an out-of-focus, almost ghost-like representation of my younger self, a visual echo that spoke volumes.

This creative process unexpectedly mirrored my own experiences with autistic masking, revealing deeper connections between art and identity. The blurred silhouette reflected the concept of autistic masking—the way I, like many others on the spectrum, have navigated social environments by concealing our autistic traits to fit in. The loss of clarity in the image mirrored the loss of identity that often accompanies masking. Incorporating this print into a painting, with layers of deep blues and blacks, stamped and handwritten texts, I delved into the emotional landscape of my experiences. Mirka Mora’s insight, “Art is free, but of course you have to be alert to catch it when it comes onto the canvas. I don’t choose the ideas, they choose me. I don’t wait for them. They come without my permission!” perfectly encapsulates the serendipitous nature of this artistic discovery and the significant shift in my work. The new visual language through the layering in Mixed Media Art underscored the potent dialogue between my autistic identity and creative expression, highlighting the intricate dance between the seen and unseen aspects of self.

This moment of inspiration underscores the essence of my art and the theme of this blog post: finding inspiration through the lens of neurodiversity. As I embrace my autistic identity, I discover the power of art to communicate the complexities, challenges, and beauty of seeing the world from a unique perspective.

The journey to self-discovery is often a path fraught with questions, doubts, and revelations. For me, this journey took a pivotal turn during the pandemic—a period of global introspection that provided me with the space to explore these themes further, leading to a pivotal discovery about my autistic identity. This recognition was about understanding and accepting the unique way I perceive and interact with the world. It offered me a lens to reinterpret my past challenges and experiences, transforming feelings of frustration and self-criticism into a narrative of strength, resilience, and personal growth. This newfound perspective was both validating and infuriating: validating in recognising the reasons behind the differences I've felt my entire life and infuriating in contemplating the struggles that could have been mitigated with earlier support.

This newfound understanding of my identity naturally steered me towards using art not just as a form of expression but as a vital tool for exploring and navigating the complexities of neurodiversity. As I navigated through these complex emotions, my art became a vessel for exploration and expression. It allowed me to delve into themes of identity, perception, and the nuanced internal experience of neurodiversity. The process of creating art became a reflective practice, a means to process emotions, manage sensory overload, and articulate the intricacies of my autistic perspective. This is evident in works like "Sensory Overload," where the interplay of bold colours against the darker background reflects my heightened sensory experience. Sounds, sights, and emotions are felt with striking intensity, revealing the power of art to articulate the heightened sensory experiences characteristic of autism, serving as a vital means for Art and Wellness. The scrawled text suggests urgency and a stream of consciousness, indicating the constant internal monologue accompanying my daily experiences. The faces that emerge from the page—some clear, others more obscure—embody a world that often feels chaotic and unforgiving.

Tegan Bailey, Sensory Overload, acrylic and collage on paper, 560 x 760 mm.

Repro More soft sculpture and books:
Mirka & Georges: A Culinary Affair
- Morgan & Harding.

Joy Hester: Remember Me
- Morgan & Petherbridge

As I delved deeper into my journey through art, I found guidance and inspiration in the works of Mirka Mora and Joy Hester, whose approaches resonated with my explorations of identity and emotion. The therapeutic benefits of art became a cornerstone of my investigation, offering a sanctuary for emotional expression and a tool for navigating the complexities of neurodiversity. Through mindful engagement with the creative process, art has provided a therapeutic outlet, enabling a profound sense of peace and well-being. By focusing on the act of creation—feeling the brush against the paper, seeing colours blend and take shape—I engage in mindfulness that reduces stress and anxiety and fosters a sense of peace and well-being. This practice has become a crucial aspect of my self-care routine, helping me to express those emotions that are too complex or overwhelming for words. Through art, I have found a way to navigate the intricacies of my autistic identity, turning introspection into a powerful tool for personal and artistic growth.

The emotional depth and vulnerability conveyed through the works of Mirka Mora and Joy Hester have influenced my creative journey. Their influence encourages a bold expression of emotions and vulnerabilities, further enriching the dialogue on Art and Wellness. Their ability to weave emotional narratives and portrayals of vulnerability into their art has inspired me to delve into my emotions, particularly those shaped by my autistic identity. This exploration has allowed me to embrace the challenges and celebrate the unique perspectives that neurodiversity brings.

Mirka Mora's art, rich with personal symbols and narratives, has encouraged me to infuse my creations with motifs tied to my experiences and emotions. Her work exemplifies how art can express the multifaceted nature of one's inner life. Similarly, Joy Hester's expressive line drawings and portraiture, capturing intense emotional states and vulnerability, have prompted me to use line to reflect the depth of my internal emotional landscape.

Mora and Hester's emotional courage—openly expressing fears, desires, and vulnerabilities—has encouraged me to embrace and communicate my vulnerabilities through art. This approach has led to works like "The Autistic Dissolve," a visual exploration of the vulnerability inherent in living with autism. Joy Hester's observation that "every person is really one world to himself, unconnected by anyone or anything" and "It is really a tightrope sort of thing, living," echoes through this work. The fragmented self-portraits against the oceanic blue tones speak to the isolation and the balancing act of living with autism, attempting to navigate the vastness of societal expectations while preserving the essence of one’s identity. The erratic marks and scrawled text overlays express the raw internal conflict and fatigue accompanying the constant effort to conform to neurotypical expectations.

Tegan Bailey, The Autistic Dissolve, acrylic and collage on paper, 560 x 760 mm.

Drawing inspiration from Mora's emotive use of colour and form and Hester's intimate and intense portraiture, I have found a powerful means of articulating complex emotional states. These influences have shaped my artistic expression and allowed me to tap into a deeper resonance, highlighting the strength found in vulnerability and the beauty of authenticity.

These artistic explorations, deeply personal yet universally resonant, lead me to invite you to dive into your own experiences with finding inspiration or navigating your path with neurodiversity. Reflect on how these dimensions of your life have shaped your understanding of yourself and the world. More crucially, consider how they've influenced your creative expressions.

Engagement Prompt: Craft a piece of art inspired by a personal story or emotion that resonates deeply with you. Whether through painting, sketching, digital art, or sculpture, choose any medium that best allows you to express your narrative authentically. Here's how you can share your masterpiece with a broader audience:

1. Post it on Social Media: Share your creation on Instagram. Use the hashtag #ArtisticJourneysNeurodiversity to connect with others on similar journeys and to see your art featured in our growing community.

2. Tag Our Page: If you're on Instagram or Twitter, tag our page in your post. We're excited to see your work and may even spotlight selected pieces in future blog posts or on our social media channels.

By intertwining art with neurodiversity, we not only explore the rich depths and vibrancy that diverse perspectives bring to creativity but also celebrate and share these unique insights through art. This collective creativity builds a more inclusive and empathetic community, showcasing the transformative power of art in expressing the intricate facets of our identities and experiences.

Art is a therapeutic avenue for many, offering a refuge for self-exploration and emotional expression. It becomes a mindful practice that can soothe and heal, essential for neurotypical and neurodiverse individuals. By engaging in artistic creation, we tap into a powerful means of communication, allowing us to convey the intricacies of our inner worlds.

I urge you to channel your unique experiences into creative expressions. Art is a powerful medium for exploring identity and neurodiversity, offering solace and understanding. Share your creations using #ArtisticJourneysNeurodiversity.