Autism: Life in Colour 2015-16

The 2015-16 project focused on sharing images, an empowering, exciting process and expressive method of communication.

Participants had the choice of media they could use to best express how they felt. You can see from the gallery page that this included painting, drawing, sculpture, collage, video as well as photography.

The purpose was to provide a visual representation of what life is like for autistic people throughout Scotland and participants were asked to submit two photos or video clips to capture:

What’s the best thing about today?

What’s the worst thing about today?

Thanks to all who participated in the 2015-2016 Exhibition at the Autism-Europe International Congress

What's the best thing about today?

What's the worst thing about today?

What's the best thing about today?

The Best part of my day is reading the newspaper, it relaxes me.

What's the worst thing about today?

The worst part of my day is waiting for the bus; it's frustrating when it is really busy. People can have a lack of common sense.

What's the best thing about today?

The bench represents independence. I like to sit and think when no one is around. It's nice and quiet and peaceful.

What's the worst thing about today?

The wooden bridge represents having to take cautious steps and proceeding with care.

What's the best thing about today?

"The Universe moves through me" It is me feeling totally connected with everything, everything flows as it should, there is energy flowing out of my fingers. I am nature and nature is me.

What's the worst thing about today?

Me wearing my pressure jacket blown right up, squeezing me. My life, usually so colourful and vibrant, turns a dirty dull colour. As someone who loves living and grabs all the opportunities I can, during a meltdown I could not feel more of a polar opposite.

What's the best thing about today?

When arrived at a destination and calmed by Number 6 staff member, am cool, calm and free like a floating snowflake, if only for a moment, even though taking away the anxiety leaves me at my " best part of the day " i.e. melancholic state, that is ok as that is the best it gets for me most days in my world.

What's the worst thing about today?

An amalgamation of anxiety from all parts of daily life, such as getting ready, leaving the house to navigate through the world, it's transport and all the people, with the anxiety just compounding and weighing heavily upon me, until I reach my destination.

What's the best thing about today?

Christopher has drawn words relating to his favourite parts of the day, which mainly centre around music (radio, headphones, iPod,mp3, CD's etc.)

What's the worst thing about today?

Christopher has drown objects relating to when things do not go to plan - when transport arrangements change, an outing has to be cancelled etc.

What's the best thing about today?

Being with family, celebrating a birthday and eating at one of my favourite restaurants in Inverness. Venue id calm, friendly music not to loud.

What's the worst thing about today?

People smoking in the street as I walk through town. Smell, pollution, ill health.

What's the best thing about today?

Robin enjoys making rag rugs and finds the process very grounding. He really gets into the rhythm of making one and can become totally absorbed in his work.

What's the worst thing about today?

Robin likes to have a drawing on the go. He can get unhappy perhaps, if the sequence isn't turning out right or for example he has a tummy ache.

What's the best thing about today?

Tea is my favourite hot drink, which is prepared ritually and best served with something sweet and in a mug with Vampire art by the great Anne Stokes. I'm learning German and feel a sense of achievement each time I Finnish a unit. My favourite band is German and I can feel alive when listening to them. Ialso fancy Ulrike from the band.

What's the worst thing about today?

Being alone a lot is the worst part, not having friends with the same interests to enjoy things with or even to phone up. Being alone also makes me think too much which reminds of a quote by Edger Allan Poe, " I remained too much inside my head and ended up losing my mind."