Exploring Nirvana
Exploring Nirvana is the title of a 97-page book of the works of artist Jessica Park of Williamstown, Massachusetts. As noted in The Transcript, the book was just released by the Massachusetts College of Liberal Arts, which gave Park an honorary degree in 2003:
Park’s more recent acrylic paintings are defined by their exact, geometric detail and bright colors. She transforms brownstone buildings by tinting them with rainbow hues.
“The way most people relate to one another, Jessy relates to colors,” said Jane Groden, director of the Groden Center for children and youth with autism, behavioral disorders and developmental disabilities, located in Providence, R.I.
A symptom of autism is restricted and repetitive behavior, which might be one reason why Park’s lines are exceptionally exact in her paintings, Groden said. She said she found Park’s work simply beautiful, however, and credited her mother for encouraging Parks’ talent from an early age.
Park’s mother, Clara Claiborne Park, has written two books about raising an autistic daughter when parents were blamed for “causing” their children to become autistic. You can see examples of Park’s paintings here.
There is something about her use of color and the delicate precision the lines and forms in Park’s paintings that reminds me very much of Charlie and the care that he takes to align objects on the floor and with each other. Even yesterday at the pool, Charlie—after tucking his socks into the backs of his shoes—leaned over and placed them several inches away from the wood bleechers, the heels exactly lined up against the lines between the chipped tiles.
And then he jumped into the pool.
Tags: Art, asd, asperger, autism, autism blog, disabilities blog, Family, family blog, jessica park, massachusetts, painting, Parenting, pdd-nos
8 opinions for Exploring Nirvana
Storkdok
May 29, 2008 at 5:20 pm
I’ve read Mrs. Park’s books and I was amazed at her strength in the era of blame the mother. Jessica is so talented! I like her work very much, her use of colors is lovely.
What was the name of the British fellow who draws cities? I found his work through Michelle’s TMOB board maybe a month ago. I’ll have to look it up.
Storkdok
May 29, 2008 at 5:35 pm
His name is Stephen Wiltshire, his website is http://www.stephenwiltshire.co.uk/
Both Stephen and Jessica’s paintings are fabulous!
bev
May 29, 2008 at 7:58 pm
I like all of Jessica’s art, but am disappointed they haven’t made some of the more interesting ones available as prints. Radiator dials are one of her specialties, or were at one point anyway. That’s the kind of thing I’d like to have on my wall. Autistic art on a classically autistic subject.
Shawn3k
May 30, 2008 at 12:18 am
God bless Dr. Oliver Sacks. I thank him for “introducing” me to Jessy and to the truth that there is a richness within Autism. As my son (hf Asp) would say…life is juicy.
Kristina Chew, PhD
May 30, 2008 at 12:26 am
We first saw Dr. Sacks’ segment on Jessica Parks just as Charlie was being diagnosed and it has stayed in my thoughts ever since.
Storkdok
May 30, 2008 at 6:30 am
Here is a nice article on Dr. Sack’s latest book, Musicophilia, which I have ordered. We read his books when we were on the Neurology rotation. He is a poet as well as a great Neurologist. http://www.neurologynow.com/pt/re/neuronow/fulltext.01222928-200804010-00014.htm;jsessionid=L1WSzcLn1V2H53GWpg5p4GyBppy1JnPLdVqJ24jB45qtv34DR2wW!1750372989!181195628!8091!-1
Phil Schwarz
May 30, 2008 at 10:25 pm
As I type this comment, our copy of Jessy’s “The Great Stained Glass Doors in Autumn Daytime #6″ looks colorfully down upon me from the guest room wall. Jessy’s work is beautiful.
Kristina Chew, PhD
May 30, 2008 at 10:53 pm
I’m fascinated by the diagram of the flavor tubes (referred to in Clara Claiborne Park’s Exiting Nirvana.
Storkdok, thanks for the link—-here it is in somewhat shorter format.
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