Seeing as it's the annual Alasdair Gray 'Gray Day' I thought I'd repost my contribution.   His portrait Frances Gordon, Glasgow Teenager inspired my collaboration with Glasgow Open Museum and guests of Glasgow City Mission in creating 'portraits' focusing on their interests rather than in a traditional style.    You can find out more here plus you can read about the project from an autistic perspective here . Enjoy. Portrait of Frances Gordon. (c) Alasdair Gray, courtesy of Glasgow Museums collections.

 

I'm aware that there's been a lack of angry/funny/confusing updates of late and that this whole blog appears to be reeking with positivity and a load of various art type stuff. You see it's that time of the year when I've been busy with the annual Glasgow Frightfest poster art....You can find the complete set here .    

So excited to finally be able to share our (award winning) little movie AUTISM PLAYS ITSELF with everyone.   A film shot in 1957 in at the Maudsley Hospital, London, captures the movements and behaviour of children under observation for atypical behaviour. In the present day, three autistic respondents watch the footage, bringing new insightful interpretations of the children’s behaviour as they explore the sparse environment of the clinic. Through speculation and identification, with wit and audacity, the responses forge a new soundtrack from an autistic point of view. As the film evolves, it takes on the rhythms and repetitions of the children’s activities, becoming a playful homage to the body language of autism. OFFICIAL SELECTION: London Short Film Festival 2025 Edinburgh Film Festival 2024 Hot Docs Documentary Festival (Winner of Best International Short Film Festival) 2024 Krakow Film Festival 2024    

  He's gonna be a wee bit embarrassed when he actually finds out where all these little Autistics come from.   (hint: it's mainly from Autistic folk having sex).

 A couple of new reviews for our short film:  

A wee bit quiet on the angry Autistic front at the mo' as I'm busy beavering away on the artwork for Frightfest in Glasgow next month....All the film posters are completed (and being unveiled daily on t'interweb) so currently hard at work on the guest portraits. Anyway I thought I'd share an interview I did regarding the illustrations I create for this fine festival way back in 2018. And there's even a copy added below for those of you who don't like links and/or pictures. Enjoy.

  "I am the son, and the heir, of a shyness that is criminally vulgar, I am the son and heir, of nothing in particular."       Happy 40th birthday to the most heartbreaking and honest song of my/our teen years ever.   The Smiths - "How Soon Is Now"     And you can read more about (my) Autistic love of certain songs here if you so desire.   You're welcome.