Au Wonder

This self-portrait portrays me in the likeness of the illustrated novel named Wonder. Just like the main character August, I had life challenges and obstacles in opening up to people alike because of my appearance and how my autism communicates despite barriers. The self-portrait of myself, as well as each family member included in this collective grouping of digital doodles, invites people to see beyond appearances and inclusion to one’s disabilities.

Tad Carpenter was the designer of the illustrated piece Wonder, a novel written by the author R.J. Palacio, whose design symbolizes the message to choose kindness over appearance. The author designed and wrote the novel of a main character undergoing a quiet transformation of confidence in opening up to people around him. Both graphic designers worked with the many iconic cover arts of the boy in various ways, such as the face wearing an astronaut helmet in black, blue, and white design.

I invite audiences to draw on paper the likeness of my portrait face shown on the poster. They can then post on the wall with tacts alongside everyone's drawings as a group. By repeating the same stylized features across many different hands, this collective wall of portraits serves as a reminder that we are more alike than we are different. It transforms the individual experience of my autism and appearance into a shared visual language, where every face—regardless of who drew it—belongs to the same community. Seeing these various portraits gathered together symbolizes a world where every unique perspective is not only seen but celebrated as part of a larger whole. Afterwards, visitors are free to take one home as a souvenir from the exhibit.