USA: Autistic artist draws New York City skyline from memory

Record ID: 585093

  • Title: USA: Autistic artist draws New York City skyline from memory
  • Date: 27th October 2009
  • Summary: BROOKLYN, NEW YORK, UNITED STATES (OCTOBER 26, 2009) (REUTERS) (SOUNDBITE) (English) STEPHEN WILTSHIRE, SAYING: "Because big cities are very beautiful, they've got skyscrapers and tall story buildings, the yellow New York cabs and American cars, and also American people," VOICE OF CAMERA ASKS WHY HE LIKES THE AMERICAN PEOPLE, WILTSHIRE ANSWERS: "Yeah. Because I like the
  • Embargoed: 11th November 2009 12:00
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  • Location: Usa
  • Country: USA
  • Topics: Arts / Culture / Entertainment / Showbiz
  • Reuters ID: LVACEQV4C6L2FU3VGEPQWOLP4ZN7
  • Story Text: British-born autistic artist Stephen Wiltshire sketches New York City's scenic skyline completely from memory.
    Stephen Wiltshire is known for his panoramic drawings of iconic urban skylines, a typical feat for any artist, but what sets him apart is the fact that his sketches are done entirely from memory. Wiltshire, who is autistic, has a photographic memory that allows him to recall every detail of a city from one 20-minute helicopter ride.
    He has sketched several cities in the past, including London, Los Angeles, Sydney, and Hong Kong, but he loves visiting New York, and finds inspiration in its architecture and layout.
    "It's, New York City is a nice, beautiful place, squared avenues, tallest story buildings, skyscrapers, and the Empire State Building is my favorite, and New York yellow taxis and big cars," says artist Stephen Wiltshire.
    The 20 foot long New York panoramic sketch is Wiltshire's ninth and final installation in his urban skyline series. The image consists of a view from the southern end of the New York Harbor, encompassing the Statue of Liberty, lower Manhattan, and Jersey City, New Jersey.
    Although the artist lives and works primarily in London, he has a fondness for Americana - playing on his iPod while he works is a constant rotation of American blues, 70s Funk, and R&B. In his off-time, he works very hard at perfecting his New York City accent.
    "It's so beautiful, you know?" says Stephen Wiltshire. "You know what I'm saying? New York City is pretty, it was terribly cold. Yo, baby, it's excellent. Excellent."
    Wiltshire is aiming to complete his drawing of New York City within one week. He is making the work at the Pratt Institute in Brooklyn, New York, and aims to unveil the finished work on the CBS network's Early Show when it is completed.
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