These images of autistic boys are an extension of the images of physical injury from the hospital gardens. (see Hospital Gardens statement).
Whilst the subjects and locations are ‘real’, these are not faux objective documentary or reportage images of the tragic eastern European orphan or a post-colonial judgment of a less evolved Europe.
In the tradition of religious painting of the mortal coil any sense of beauty is offset by an emotional complexity. The autism of the models is a hidden and misunderstood damage conveyed in the sense of detachment and lack of collaboration. They are staged nonetheless for no other purpose than for the creation of the image itself.
The journey through to adulthood is impossible to communicate, wisdom seems only available in hindsight. Empathy between generations becomes increasingly difficult as we grow apart from our previous selves. We are the same but different, only the latest manifestation understanding the others.