Stephen Wiltshire is known around the world for his drawings of cityscapes.
But these are no ordinary drawings. Mr. Wiltshire, MBE, can create accurate representations of entire cities after having only observed them for a matter of minutes.
He was born in London to West Indian parents. A mute, he never talked and at the age of three he was diagnosed as autistic.
The Bermuda National Gallery has teamed up with autism charity Bermuda Autism Support and Education (BASE) to help raise money for the two organizations.
Mr. Wiltshire, who has been labelled The Human Camera, will be on the island from May 17 creating images of Bermuda which will be on sale at a fundraising auction at City Hall on May 22.
There will be footage of Stephen Wiltshire at work on the night which includes the story of him drawing Rome after viewing the city for just 20 minutes.
It has not been confirmed whether members of the public can view the work outside of the fundraising event but enquiries can be made by calling the gallery on 295-9428.
The event is part of the National Gallery's wider effort to collaborate with social service institutions around the island.
The Bermuda National Gallery has been trying to find ways to demonstrate the profound ways in which art plays a role in our lives. The gallery's chairman, Gary Phillips, said he believes it is the responsibility of organizations such as the BNG to show the therapeutic value and significance of art across the community.
He came across the talent of Stephen Wiltshire when he was in London around 18 months ago and was determined to invite him to Bermuda. That has been no mean feat.
He explained: "Given Stephen's very busy schedule, it has taken many months of telephone calls and emails with his agent - but we are delighted to be able to present him and his work to Bermuda.
"Just as importantly though, we are delighted that his visit will also raise awareness about, and hopefully financial support for, families and teachers who work each day to assist children and young adults with autism.
"We are pleased to share Stephen's visit with (BASE)."
BASE aims to being greater awareness of autism to the community through educational seminars and workshops presented by overseas experts.
Gallery director, Lisa Howie, explained that BNG was not actively recruiting people with social disabilities but were "actively recruiting exceptional talents."
"Stephen has a pictoral visual imagination and mind. He is able to see and remember accurately - but due to the complexity of his mind, where a lot of people are able to see something not only on a two dimensional or three dimensional frame, he seems to see the other side of the wall that you can't see. "In this particular case it allows us to strike up a relationship with BASE, we would never have been able to strike that up unless we had this wonderful connection.
"This is something that may become a model for people who live here - it could be empowering for parents who have autistic children. It could be anything, blindness, anything that society casts out as not being the status quo.
