An art exhibition is currently on display at LabCentral, a collaborative biotechnology laboratory in Kendall Square, Cambridge, showcasing the work of artists who have found their voice through art.
The exhibit is called ‘What I See’ and features the inspiring work of a young autistic named Dominic Killiany from Watertown. Dominique continues to speculate a lot, but many people ask what they’re looking at.
Dominique’s method is unique. He often finds an image or photo he likes, emulates it, and sketches a copy in pencil. And like a painting-by-numbers book, he numbers every space in his sketches. And he, he paints all the spaces with acrylics.
Many of his paintings have a jungle theme.
“Dominic seems to have been a lion or a tiger in another life. He loves safari animals. I don’t know why. He was born in 1998, the year of the tiger,” says Susan, Dominic’s mother. Cicconi explained.
Painting seems to be Dominique’s favorite way of communicating. The 24-year-old has limited language skills and still struggles to communicate with others. As such, he is unable to speak about the meaning behind his paintings, leaving room for his interpretation. His mother and father say it’s a beauty.
“He doesn’t feel the need to speak. He does everything he can to avoid speaking. But he communicates in his own way. And this is his form of communication.” I believe,” said Dominic’s father, Michael Killiany.
Incredibly, it’s all completely self-taught. Dominique never took art lessons, but both his mother and grandmother were artists, and his mother exposed him to art books at an early age. As a toddler, he was obsessed with drawing road signs with chalk on his driveway.
“Most of the time he copied the symbols perfectly and actually spelled the words for the symbols, which was really weird for a 2-year-old to spell,” his dad said. rice field.
When Dominic was 14, he discovered paint by numbers. His parents say it changed his life. Like many autistics, Dominique struggles with attention and anxiety, but remains calm and focused when sitting and sketching.
“It’s his form of liberation, his way of dealing with life through the problems he has, it relaxes him, he has a love and talent for it, and he does it sometimes. It can become an obsession,” his dad said.
Dominic draws a picture every week. His paintings sell for thousands of dollars. To date, he has sold 70 of his. I hope he can continue to sell so that he can become financially independent.
Another hope is that by having his paintings on display at LabCentral, we will remember the study of autism and inspire the resident scientists and entrepreneurs working on all kinds of treatments for different conditions. It’s about giving and motivating.
“I love to pitch this story to the researchers and scientists here who are working directly across from the painting. ‘What do you see?’ It’s for patterns, and coding. Dominic’s mother
A public reception for Dominic’s exhibit will be held at LabCentral in Kendall Square on Wednesday, January 25, from 9:30 pm to 11:30 pm. LabCentral is located at 238 Main Street, Cambridge.
For more information on how to purchase his paintings, visit www.dominicreations.com or follow Dominic on Instagram – @dominicreations
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