Aiden Campbell is most at ease and at his best when creating art.
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On Thursday the nine-year-old’s third exhibition opens in Kiama.
Like the Towradgi artist’s first two exhibitions, All About ME, is aimed at raising awareness of children with learning and memory disabilities - like Aiden himself, who has a mild form of autism.
The condition seems to amplify Aiden's creativity but renders him unable to remember more than about 4 per cent of what he hears and sees. He grows frustrated at his limitations and is prone to outbursts.
Simone Campbell organised her son’s first exhibition as a way for the outside world to see a different side to him. She said the latest exhibition was all Aiden's doing.
‘’Behind each piece of Aiden's work there is a story. It can take weeks or months to get it just right. It's really amazing to watch him at work,’’ she said.
Mrs Campbell said All About ME was different to Aiden’s first two exhibitions.
‘’He wanted to have it all about him because all the other shows were colours through his eyes – what he sees,’’ she said.
‘’Where this one is a new expression for Aiden. He is putting a little bit more thought. It’s not just abstract now. It’s more drawing and more attention to details. And he picks the name and he picks the artwork that goes in the exhibition.’’
The Towradgi Public School year 4 student was inspired to create his own art after attending art teacher Tegan Russell's exhibition in mid-2013.
‘’It was from this point forward that Aiden’s passion for art soared, and with new inspiration and experience stemming from a visit to Paris, Aiden continued to build his own portfolio,’’ Mrs Campbell said.
She said as a parent, living with this disability can be challenging. ‘’Pause for a moment and imagine what your life would be like if you couldn’t remember what you saw, heard, or thought today. It is exhibitions like this that assist Aiden in learning how to cope and stay calm in uncomfortable situations,’’ she said.
“Art By Aiden - All About Me” opens at 5pm on July 7 at the Little Blowhole Cafe Art Bar in Kiama, where Aiden will raise funds for FearLess Outreach (helping to reduce the sigma around Post Traumatic Stress Disorder).
