Memorable Panorama: Stephen Wiltshire MBE

Stephen Wiltshire MBE is an artist working in New York who methodically sketches city skylines and landmarks in his practice. His panoramic sketch of New York City beginning in Brooklyn and moving across to Manhattan is particularly impressive given that he accomplishes this large-scale piece entirely from memory without any visual reference (ie. photographs) to aid in his final production. With only a blank canvas and some black ink pens, Wiltshire relies entirely on his memory of the skyline to create a highly detailed and accurate sketch of the urban landscape.

What is particularly interesting to note is that Wiltshire is an autistic artist. his panoramic piece based entirely on memory is an impressive accomplishment in and of itself, but the fact that he works with what is traditionally classified as a limitation or disability plays an integral role in his work. That is to say that Wiltshire helps debunk this notion of autism as a limitation or disability and enters into a discourse of social awareness of these harmful social classifications given his artistic achievements. It is truly amazing that the mind can accomplish on its own without the daily distractions and dependence on modern technologies. 

-Katlin Rogers

For more information on Stephen Wiltshire, click here

For a video of Wiltshire creating the above mentioned work, click here