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About us

More than meets the eye

This project aims to raise awareness, improve understanding and increase
acceptance of autism and autistic people through art and science.

Celebrating the
magnificence of diversity

‘More than meets the eye’ is the theme of this exhibition because we want to challenge perceptions of autism through the lenses of art and science. Art helps us gain a deeper understanding of autistic people’s experiences, feelings, thoughts and impressions. In a different, but equally important, way science expands our knowledge of autism. Both encourage us to view autism beyond our first impressions and understand the diversity of people’s experiences.

Are you Autistic?

Enter our art competition

Learn about Autism

From a scientific perspective...

The Organisers

This project was written into the grant for the AIMS-2-TRIALS research programme, to be coordinated by the team at the University of Cambridge. In the spirit of inclusivity, the consortium's group of 'Autism Representatives' was invited to co-lead. Volunteers from this group have met regularly via Zoom with members of the University of Cambridge team, working together on all aspects of the project: from the initial brief to finalised plan; designing the website, including how to combine art and science; and the procedures for the art competition. Team members include five Autism Representatives from the Netherlands, Germany, UK and Belgium. When decisions were made by voting, only the Autism Representatives had a vote, ensuring that their voices were heard and acted upon.

This project is funded by the AIMS-2-TRIALS research programme, which includes a range of studies carried out by different groups. These are exploring how autism develops, from before birth to adulthood, and how this varies in different people. Researchers are seeking biological markers to indicate whether a person has or may develop particular characteristics, which could help identify who may benefit from particular treatments. The programme is also testing medicines to help with social difficulties, repetitive behaviours and sensory processing. See the AIMS-2-TRIALS website for more information about this project​. 

The Judges

Our art competition is being judged by three individuals that represent a breadth of experience across the worlds of Art and Disability Justice. See below for a little information about each of them.

Tammillia Winters

Tammillia is a 25 year old autistic artist, and mature university student, living in a sea-side town along the south coast of England. Being home-educated (until she entered college at 16) allowed her the creative freedom that she knew she was passionate about from a young age; exploring many mediums, such as photography, creative writing and playing musical instruments. She continued on to Northbrook College where she achieved a Level 2 and Level 3 Diploma of Higher Education in Digital Art. Tammillia worked in healthcare as a care worker for 4 years before having to re-evaluate her career and life-goals, and decided to return to education and enter university.

She is currently a student at the University of Brighton studying Design for Digital Media, which encapsulates many of the artistic mediums that she enjoys working with, as well as mediums which she is eager to learn or improve her current skills in, such as animation, graphic design and filmography. Although it’s not included in her course, she has enjoyed illustrating, drawing and painting (both traditionally and digitally) for many years and she has worked with clients on various artistic commissions throughout and outside of her educational and employment history.

Kate Adams

Kate is an artist, advocate, parent activist and Director & CEO of Project Art Works

Kate co-founded Project Art Works in 1997 to explore an expanded conception of art that was and continues to be influenced by Paul Colley, her son, who has complex support needs. Project Art Works collaborates with many individuals and their circles of support. The work embraces highly personalised studio practice, a Support Collective for caregivers, film productions and major public exhibitions that raise awareness and influence diverse representation in civic and cultural life. Kate’s work as an artist, activist and carer informs the organisation’s ethical knowledge and expertise in systems of personalised planning, support and inclusion for people who may not be able to knowingly consent to their involvement in art and culture.

Project Art Works:

  • Joint winners of the Film London Jarman Award 2020
  • Shortlisted for the Turner Prize 2021
  • Commissioned by DOCUMENTA 15 (Kassel 2022), to share new models of sustainability and collective practices with 14 other collectives from around the world leading up to, including and beyond DOCUMENTA 15.
  • In 2012 Kate was awarded an MBE for services to art and disability.

Siddharth Khajuria

Siddharth has been the Director of Science Gallery London since January 2022. He has a background as a cultural producer and programmer, and was previously responsible for a public programme of experimental projects + events at the Barbican arts centre in London. He’s also the co-founder of Grand Plan, a charity which awards grants to artists and creative people of colour in the UK to realise any kind of cultural project.

 

This project is part of the AIMS-2-TRIALS research program. Click here to explore the website and learn about the scientific research being carried out by the AIMS-2-TRIALS consortium.

This project has received funding from the Innovative Medicines Initiative 2 Joint Undertaking under grant agreement No 777394. This Joint Undertaking receives support from the European Union’s Horizon 2020 research and innovation programme and EFPIA and AUTISM SPEAKS, Autistica, SFARI.
Any views expressed are those of the author(s) and not necessarily those of the funders.

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