Two Artists, One with Autism

Charlie and I do a lot of things together like swimming; I played the piano for years when I was in school, and I am more than excited to hear him play the C major scale. Susan Murtaugh and her autistic son Alex, now 22 years old, are both artists; you can read about their family and Alex’s art in an article in today’s HTRnews.com (WI). An excerpt:

Today, Alex combines his talents with camera and computer to make his art. He shoots photos, many of local scenes, and then transforms them using special computer effects.

“My favorite piece … I think the one that was set in Manitowoc,” Alex said. “The one where I converted the old Happy Sleeper store into kind of a galleria-type place and mall.”

Called “Let Me Look at the Map,” the work is a futuristic look at the building that now holds Subway and other businesses.

“Much to my surprise, I have recently seen two holes cut through the building,” Alex said. “I’m guessing that somebody is now planning to put something there. Maybe I might be predicting progress of the former Happy Sleeper Building.”