Words flow heavy as stone,
A labyrinth of sound and appearance.
Eyes slide past each other,
Feelings are there, but remain free.
Sometimes a storm of light and colors,
An inner dance that they preserve.
Communication, a delicate game,
No fixed pattern, no rigid goal.
But if you give space and listen carefully,
They show worlds, clear and rough.
Every word, a precious stone,
A puzzle piece, small but beautiful.
Communication in the Autistic Spectrum – A Work of Art and Poem by Katrin Schilke
The artwork "Communication on the Spectrum" by Katrin Schilke and the accompanying poem illuminate a deep and often misunderstood topic: communication on the autism spectrum. Both works complement each other in a way that creates, both visually and poetically, a deeper understanding of how people on the spectrum communicate and perceive the world.
The poem
The poem describes the challenges and uniqueness of communication in autistic people. It begins with the description that "words flow as heavy as stone" - a powerful image for the difficulties many people on the spectrum experience when trying to put their thoughts and feelings into words. The lines speak of a "labyrinth of sound and appearance", which underlines the often complex and difficult for outsiders to understand world of autistic perception and communication.
The second verse speaks of a “storm of light and colors,” an inner dance that is preserved. This suggests that behind the apparent silence or unconventional ways of communicating there is a rich inner world hidden. Communication is described as “a delicate game”, with no “fixed pattern, no rigid goal”, emphasizing that communication on the spectrum does not follow conventional patterns but has its own depth and dynamics.
The final verse emphasizes the value of listening: “But if you give space and listen closely, they reveal worlds, clear and raw.” These lines call for attentiveness and patience in order to understand and appreciate the unique perspectives of autistic people.
The artwork by Katrin Schilke
The artwork "Communication in the Spectrum" by Katrin Schilke visualizes the concepts of the poem in a fascinating way. In a transparent box we see a stylized profile of a head with a red brain, symbolizing thoughts and inner worlds. Colorful ribbons flow out of the head, on which various words and phrases can be read. These ribbons, which appear like fluttering thoughts, are held and arranged by two hands, symbolizing the search for expression and understanding.
The visual elements – the head, the brain, the hands and the floating ribbons – convey the impression of constant movement and searching. It is a balancing act between the inner world and external communication, which illustrates how words often fly through space like ribbons – difficult to grasp and yet so meaningful. The hands holding the ribbons symbolize the importance of support, listening, and trying to grasp and understand the words and thoughts.
The message of the artwork and the poem
Both the artwork and the poem by Katrin Schilke invite viewers and readers to recognize the complexity and beauty of communication on the autism spectrum. They encourage patience and empathy and appreciate the unique expression and perspective of autistic people. Visualizing thoughts as ribbons carefully held by hands reminds us that communication is not always straightforward and often requires more than just words to be understood.
With her artwork, Katrin Schilke manages to offer a profound and moving portrayal of the world of autistic communication. Her work challenges us to be more mindful and open to the different ways people can connect with one another. Her artwork and the poem invite reflection on the importance of language and listening and open doors to a better understanding of the autistic experience.
The size of the picture is: 21 x 15 cm