Our Mission
Aconnexion is a platform that connects Asian and Asian American artists on the autism spectrum to the world. We advocate for autistic artists and raise public awareness of neurodiversity through art exhibitions, lectures, workshops, and social engagement. Our mission is to inspire everyone to embrace and harness neurodiversity as a strength of humanity.
Why Autism
Apple’s “Think Different” campaign three decades ago celebrated people who changed the world by daring to think differently. For every Einstein and Picasso, millions of neurodivergent individuals live among us, yet their capacity to create and innovate often goes unnoticed and unsupported. The term “neurodiversity” entered our social consciousness around the time of Apple’s campaign, but we have yet to fully embrace brain differences over brain deficits. Different is not less.
Why Art
Having grown up among autistic artists, I've witnessed their spontaneous, unconventional approach to creating art without formalized training. Their divergent thinking and acute attention to detail fuel an artistry that transcends the neurotypical realm. Neurodiversity is a catalyst for creativity and innovation. Yet, their art is often relegated as outsider art, marginalizing their talent from the mainstream art world and reinforcing their isolation. This must change.
Why Asian
In Asian-American communities in the US and across many Asian countries, autistic artists receive little to no attention. Their talent often goes wasted, and their needs unserved. The same applies to many other minority autism communities. They represent an intersectionality that deserves our society’s priority attention. As an American with Korean roots, I've started with a community I know best and hope to extend that momentum across minority communities.
Why All of Us
Embracing neurodiversity matters to all of us. The line between neurodivergence and neurotypicality is blurred, and more of us likely fall on the spectrum than we realize. Yet, our societal norms are often too restrictive to harness the diversity and creativity inherent in human thought processes. Be part of the change. As you navigate this site, I hope you’ll be inspired and energized by the power of neurodiversity and join me in the effort to embrace and support their potential.
