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).
