In February 1987 the BBC's QED series broadcast
a programme called "The Foolish Wise Ones" which studied the effects of autism,
that tragic affliction which leaves its sufferers with a perceived mental age
of a child and, to all intents and purposes, cut off from the world. However,
as the programme proved brilliantly, autistic people are often able to express
themselves in a manner which leaves 'normal' people amazed at their talent.
Stephen Wiltshire, then eleven years old, was shown producing from memory
drawings of London buildings, which moved Sir Hugh Casson to judge him 'a
wonderfully natural draughtsman, really spectacularly good'. Doctors the world
over are unable to explain why people like Stephen have such talents, but he
has proved why we must accept his unique gifts at face value. The QED programme
profoundly stirred its audience and hundreds of letters poured in from viewers
eagerly seeking to buy a Stephen Wiltshire drawing. Stephen's trustees have
decided not to dispose of any originals but rather have granted Dent permission
to publish his extraordinary and moving volume which not only contains some of
the finest freehand drawings of a brilliant artist, but also produces a
powerful argument for re-thinking our policy regarding the 'mentally
handicapped'.
'His sense of perspective seems to be faultless... I have never seen in all my
competition drawing such a talent, such natural and extraordinary talent that
this child seems to have... [Stephen] is possibly the best child artist in
Britain.' (Sir Hugh Casson)
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