Autistic man finds voice through photography
WAUSAU - Idle chatter and noisy crowds raise Aaron Tierney's anxiety. He'd rather be among the trees and fields of nature photographing the landscape than trying to decipher the babble of people.
Aaron, 21, has autism spectrum disorder, which is characterized by difficulties in social interactions, verbal and nonverbal communication and repetitive behaviors. Talking to strangers and discussing feeling is difficult for his son, said Jim Tierney, Aaron's father, during an interview with USA TODAY NETWORK-Wisconsin about Aaron's art. The family lives in Wausau.
People and animals move and react in unpredictable ways that are disconcerting for Aaron, and he gravitates to quiet pursuits. His talent for photography shines in his composed, balanced pictures featured in a new exhibit, Unique Perspectives: Artists with Autism, at the Center for the Visual Arts in Wausau, 427 N. Fourth St. The exhibit features art by local people who have autism and includes pottery, graphic designs and watercolor and acrylic paintings.
His photos include a picture that focuses on a yellow daisy glowing among green grass. The flower is back lit by the cool light of a gray summer day. In another picture, speckled toadstools appear to pop out of a weathered silver-gray log.
Autism affects more than 3 million people across the nation and the number of children diagnosed annually is increasing, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. In 2014, one in 68 children had an autism spectrum disorder diagnosis; in 1991, the number was one in 500. Although there is no firm explanation for the increase, changes in how autism is diagnosed might be a factor, including a greater awareness of the disorder among medical professionals.
Talking to strangers about autism and his passion for photography was anxiety-inducing for Aaron, but in his interview he wanted to share his story to spread awareness about creativity and autism spectrum disorder.
"I take pictures of stuff I enjoy," Aaron said.
His photos speak for him, he said, struggling to explain his passion for photography. When he began to fidget and flap his arms as his anxiety mounted, his father gently touched Aaron's arm and his son relaxed.
When the questions shifted to features about his photos that he liked, Aaron's face broke into a smile and he launched into explanations about the composition and lighting of each picture.
"The lighting for the one with the yellow flower was no easy task. The conditions that day, it was cloudy, and I got up close," he said.
Another of his favorite shots is a view from a bluff in La Crosse where the scenery is shrouded in mist. In another photo, fall colors glow on a brilliant sunny day in a view of a meadow adjacent to the woods of Rib Mountain. Both of the photos required understanding the lighting to get the right shot, Aaron said.
"Everyone likes to take photos of Rib Mountain with snow, but I like this one because those colors are beautiful," he said.
Aaron's zeal for photography started when he got a smart phone a few years ago. He happily photographed his family, all of the pets, the indoors and outdoors around his home, and just about everything he saw. When he showed the photos to his parents, they thought about a way to channel his new passion, Jim Tierney said. They suggested a photography class and Aaron enthusiastically joined his first class in September at the University of Wisconsin Marathon County Continuing Education Department. He enjoyed it and signed up for the second class that ended last week.
Many people enjoy photography, but not everyone has the "eye for it," said Aaron's photography teacher, Scott Savage, a professional photographer in Merrill who has taught at UW Marathon County for 10 years.
"Aaron has the eye for photography. He's learning the basics and is understanding composition, lighting, the building blocks. When you pull all of it together, the beautiful photo happens," Savage said.
Photography is an expressive outlet for Aaron, and it gives him another skill for the job market, his father said. Aaron has a part-time office assistant job with a Wausau real estate company and is starting to take photos of properties for sale.
"It would be really nice if it works out," Jim said. Similar to parents everywhere, Jim and his wife, Vicki, want their son to have a satisfying life with a fulfilling job.
There are many people with autism and the art show helps to spread awareness about the disorder, Jim said. The show also highlights the creative expression of folks similar to his son.
"We're really proud of him," Jim said.
Although Aaron's photos depict his enjoyment in the calm serenity of nature, Aaron said he also enjoys architectural photography. "I like the details," he said.
After the interview Aaron walked outside the Center for the Visual Arts building in downtown Wausau, then paused to photograph the exterior of The Grand theater, the gallery's neighbor.
As he focused to compose photos from various angles, Aaron said, "I want to be sure I have it. This is a beautiful historic building. I want to photograph that."
Liz Welter: 715-898-7008, or liz.welter@gannettwisconsin.com; on Twitter @welter_liz.
To see Unique Perspectives: Artists with Autism
What: Art show at the Center for the Visual Arts, 427 N. Fourth St., Wausau
When: 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. Tuesdays through Fridays and noon to 4 p.m. Saturday. The center is closed from Thanksgiving through Nov. 27 and Christmas Day. The exhibit runs through Dec. 31 and also features Zadis Fellows, Matthew Guilliom, Sarah Helmer, Stephanie Johnson, Maggie Kumferman, Ashley Mathy, Kelsey McNamara, Michaela Roche, Mariana Schmidt and RJ Schmoll.
