Stephen Wiltshire possesses an extraordinary artistic gift that, until recently, remained largely unknown to the world. The New York Times brought him international attention with a video showing the young artist—bright-eyed and smiling—flying over Manhattan for about an hour, then reproducing the entire skyline faithfully, detail by detail, in a sprawling drawing.
Born in 1974, Stephen discovered his passion for art as a child, despite receiving an autism diagnosis at just three years old.
One of his teachers, captivated by his talent, began entering his work in children's competitions. The strategy paid off with significant recognition.
At seven, Stephen sold his first piece. By eight, he had already received his first commission from a British government official to draw Salisbury Cathedral. A trip to New York followed, where he sketched iconic skyscrapers including the Empire State Building and the Chrysler Building.
From there, he began traveling to cities around the world—Venice, Amsterdam, Leningrad, Moscow—rendering each one with astonishing precision. His drawings capture complex perspectives with a fluency that has no precedent. More mysteriously still, he seems able to distill the essential character of a building, something that remains virtually unexplained. His work testifies to a gift unlike any other.
In January 2006, Queen Elizabeth II appointed him a Member of the Order of the British Empire in recognition of his services to the arts. Autism remains part of who he is—he still struggles with isolation and withdrawal—but the recognition of his work brings him joy and hope for the future.
A few years ago, drawing the Rome skyline.
Source: Unione Sarda