Elsa Schuster
I’m an Autistic artist interested in looking at art as a catalyst for social change, with themes of community and sustainability often cropping up in my practise. I find print technologies to be useful in exploring these ideas, which are embedded in my work as a print-informed artist. In recent months, my focus has been on how we can stay connected during COVID-19 and how we process the rapidly changing world around us.
My series Connected Alone came from my belief that accessibility benefits the whole community, not just those with disabilities. Autistic people stim in order to self-regulate. A stim is a repetitive action that provides comfort or pleasure, and self regulation is the ability to regulate one’s emotions or energy levels. Each of the works in Connected Alone are made using repetitive actions that are comforting to me as an Autistic person, but are also enjoyable or comforting to non-Autistic people. The works are ongoing and interactive, bringing people together in different ways. More of the project can be viewed on my website.
Knit With Me, 2020
Knitting, Video and Photography
Fold With Me, 2020
Origami
Fold With Me (Detail), 2020
Origami
Knit With Me (Detail), 2020
Knitting, Video and Photography
04:01
Move With Me, 2020
Video
03:29