Stories

The centre piece for Stephen's week long exhibition in Birmingham is an intricately detailed pen and ink drawing of the Birmingham skyline.

Birmingham by Stephen Wiltshire

Key Birmingham landmarks are there such as Beetham Tower, the rotunda and of course the iconic Selfridges building:

"It's curvy and round. It's a strange looking shape and silvery, it's something different," says Stephen.

Stephen Wiltshire

Birmingham skyline

He remembers a visit to Birmingham more than 20 years ago where the city took on a different appearance. "Some things have changed since then" he muses.

"I like new development" says Stephen, who has punctuated Birmingham's evolving skyline with cranes and construction work.

Birmingham was drawn with a day's intense labour, and another huge panoramic drawing of London was done over five days, incredibly from memory after a helicopter trip over the capital.

Big Ben on a rainy day

City heights

London is a favourite location for Stephen's drawings, as too is New York City; "In New York I like the tall buildings and yellow taxi cabs and all the noises of the New York police, ambulances and car horns."

Stephen's extraordinary gift for art was discovered as a child. Autism meant he was mute in his early years, choosing to communicate through intricate drawings of cityscapes.

'Savants' are exceptionally gifted and may excel at maths, music or art, and can also also have developmental disorders such as autism.

Times Square

The condition is typically characterised by the Dustin Hoffman character in 'Rainman', a favourite film of Stephen's.

"Paper" was the first word Stephen uttered, not speaking fully until he was nine years old. Today Stephen challenges autism head on and is a softly spoken and polite man, carefully choosing few words and delivering them with a warm smile.

Global architecture

Stephen's art has been documented since the age of twelve and exhibited worldwide. He was awarded the MBE in 2006 and is a leading architectural artist with a global fanbase.

"It feels great to be famous," says Stephen "it's very exciting." He also says he gets a "good feeling" knowing that he is an inspiration to other people and families affected by autism.

Yellow taxis

"It's a great thing Stephen is here to help celebrate World Autism Day on 2nd April," said Carolyn Bailey, Chief Executive of Autism West Midlands.

"We have difficult challenges and we like to celebrate achievements of autism. There are a number of people with talents that we try to celebrate with them."

Carolyn and Stephen

See Stephen's exhibition in Birmingham

Stephen Wiltshire's exhibition is being held at the Art Lounge on level three of the Mailbox. Open daily from 10am to 4pm from Monday 30 March to Sunday 5 April 2009.

The exhibition is in support of Autism West Midlands and a celebration of World Autism Day on 2 April 2009.