Advertising Art director, Sonny Adorjan, has teamed up with his six-year-old son on an art collaboration with a difference, creating a series of cards and prints in aid of Ambitious for Autism.

At the age of three, his son Woody was diagnosed with high functioning autism. As he developed, Sonny noticed the unique way Woody had of viewing the world and expressing himself. He began writing down some of his son’s original and loving phrases - “I love you all the way to the end of counting”, “I love you for all the minutes” - as a way of holding on to Woody’s touching words, in amongst his more challenging behaviour. 

Sonny then saw a way he could use these quotes to shine a light on the autistic spectrum and the value of neurodivergent thinking in the world. He teamed up with Woody to create Woodism, a creative collaboration that turned his son’s quotes into linocut cards and posters.

Pretty soon the prints were gathering attention via Sonny’s Instagram, so when he was approached by the Brighton shop They Made This to sell the work, Sonny saw an opportunity to give back to his favourite charity, Ambitious About Autism - an organisation which aims to help autistic youngsters reach their potential in the world.

The work is created in a naïve typographic style which is both emotive and befitting Woody’s age when he came up with the phrases (three to six-years-old), but it’s the words themselves that are so unique. The artworks offer a glimpse into Woody’s mind and show how even amongst autism’s struggles, there can be unexpected beauty. Throughout the ages themes like love have been consistent, yet Woody’s words always reveal new and original ways of describing it. 

“The creative process was a chance for Woody and I to connect as we worked on the designs in evenings and on weekends and has benefited us both” said Sonny. He continued, “It has also given Woody a newfound confidence. He sometimes struggles at school and finds handwriting particularly challenging, but suddenly his words are important. People want to hang them on their walls. In his words, “I’m famous! I’m the author!”. I’ve also found it liberating to create my own free style, and have found a new love of linocut printing, the act of carving the lino has become a kind of therapy.”

Karina Bird from Ambitious About Autism says “We are delighted to be working with Sonny and to be the beneficiary of his artworks.  His prints capture Woody’s unique view of the world and his phrases are both optimistic and tender.  It’s wonderful to see the perspective of a young autistic person making such positive waves in such as competitive industry.  Sonny and Woody should be very proud of what they have achieved”