John M. Williams, a Winchester artist who specializes in fine art collage, has been featured in a new book about artists with autism entitled Drawing Autism. The new book celebrates the artistry and self-expression found in the drawings, paintings and collages created by individuals diagnosed with autism.
Drawing Autism is written by Jim Mullin, a behavior analyst and educator, with an intro by Temple Grandin, a world-renowned autistic adult. Published in December 2009 by Mark Batty Publishers in New York City, the book features an array of work from autistic artists. Their creations, coupled with artist interviews, comprise a fascinating and compelling book that illustrates how autism manifests differently in every diagnosis.
Drawing Autism features three of John’s collages – Lincoln, General Sherman and Pharaoh. John specializes in portrait collages of great historical figures with a special interest in Civil War art. He creates intriguing collages by piecing together small cut pieces of paper to create a likeness of his subject that reveals the person’s character as well as their historical significance.
John’s work was recently featured at a celebration of Lincoln’s 150th visit to Exeter, New Hampshire entitled In Exeter: A Sesquicentennial Celebration. His work has also been shown in multiple galleries and exhibits throughout New England including the Gallery at Southside in Danvers, Concord Art Association, Marblehead Festival of the Arts, Salem Arts Festival, Lynn Arts, and at the Asperger’s Association of New England annual exhibit entitled Seeing with a Different Eye.
John is a member artist of ArcWorks, a program that showcases the work of artists with disabilities through the Northeast Arc. He is also a member of the Concord Art Association and the Civil War Roundtable of Greater Boston. John holds a BFA from the University of Massachusetts in Lowell and currently lives in Winchester, Massachusetts. John’s work is available as originals and in giclee prints. More information about John M. Williams is available at www.johnmwilliamsfineart.com.