A beautiful mind

Stephen Wiltshire, who is autistic, is known as the 'human camera'. His ability to accurately draw buildings and cityscapes completely from memory has earned him the title of leading architectural artist of the world. He creates his artwork after a short glance of his subject matter. For example, following a short helicopter ride over New York he drew a stunningly detailed panoramic view of the city on a 10-meter-long canvas. 

Wiltshire first came to widespread public notice in February 1987, when he was featured on a BBC documentary called The Foolish Wise Ones, about savant syndrome, a rare condition in which those with various developmental disorders - including autism - have incredible abilities or talents. He was shown on the program drawing ST. PANCRAS STATION, an elaborate Gothic railway hub in central London that he had visited for the first time earlier in the day. Calls and letters poured into the BBC, from viewers seeking to buy his artwork. 

In this video, you will discover how British-born Stephen Wiltshire sketches the New York city skyline entirely from memory after only a twenty minutes helicopter ride around the coastline. 

On his webpage you can read his biography and enjoy all his work. Worth visiting Stephen Wiltshire website (Member of the Most Excellent Order of the British Empire: an honour which recognises distinguished service to the arts and sciences).