James Owen Thomas: David Hockney’s artwork helped my autism

As a young child with hyperactive behaviour, I wasn’t always invited back to parties or included in group activities as I just couldn’t cope. My mother used to regularly take me to an art gallery in Sussex where we lived at the time. By looking at all types of art on the wall, I seemed to relax and become less anxious.

At the age of 11, after moving to Yorkshire, it was as if the world was starting to open up to me. There were so many interesting places to see and I enjoyed regular bus trips to cities such as Bradford, Leeds, Wakefield and York. I also liked going to Saltaire as I felt calmer in Salts Mill. Looking at the stunning displays of David Hockney’s artwork took my mind off problems. At secondary school I felt isolated and was teased by other children for being different.

James in the1853 Gallery in Salt’s Mill Fountains Hall at Fountains Abbey

Outside school I began to develop other interests and worked as a volunteer from the ages of 14 to 19 for the National Trust’s wildlife team at Fountains Abbey and Brimham Rocks. I achieved a World Heritage Youth Ambassadors Accreditation during my time at Fountains Abbey and remember enjoying the coursework as it included researching other UNESCO World Heritage sites like Saltaire.

I have enjoyed seeing David Hockney’s artwork in Salts Mill since I was eleven, and even now when I look at his collections of art on display I find it relaxing and think about how I love his use of colour and the striking way he can depict trees. Being out in nature has always been important to me so it was a wonderful feeling being surrounded by Hockney’s trees. I love his use of bold colours. I completely agree with David Hockney’s comment “To me, the world’s rather beautiful if you look at it. Especially nature.”

Another favourite artist, Vincent van Gogh, said: “If you truly love nature, you will find beauty everywhere.”

I am so happy to be able to say that greetings cards of my artwork have been put on display for sale in the 1853 Gallery on the ground floor of Salts Mill. It is wonderful for me to think that my cards are amongst the art materials and art books that have fascinated and inspired me for so many years. The gallery is interested to hear that I have a book coming out in February 2025 about my art, my life and my autism. The book will give an insight into my style of environmental art and what it is like to live with autism.

Woodland Magic, created using discarded items such as tickets and scratchcards

Heron in Fishpond Wood Salts Mill, where James’s greetings cards are on display

Everyday activities which seem so normal to most people like, for example, leaving the house to get somewhere on time, can sometimes cause anxiety and stress. Mental health is a massive area of concern for those with autism. I also work with the charity Council for Disabled Children to speak up for better support and acceptance in education. I often talk about how I spend my spare time out in nature to try to improve my mental health. It is a way for me to ‘unmask’, no longer having to appear a certain way in public but instead doing what I like most and being out especially in woodland settings. This then gives me the ideas for my artwork.

Certain situations like being out in large crowds can still cause difficulties and make me feel uncomfortable. For this reason, I decided not to make the journey from Yorkshire to London to join the Restore Nature Now march in June 2024. Around 60,000 people were on this march, including representatives from The Tree Council. They realised that as one of their Tree Council ‘Force for Nature’ ambassadors, my art has given me a voice to speak up for nature.

Ever since I was very young, I have had concerns about the environment – one of my first toys was a child’s litter-picker. I used to help clear rubbish from parks and I still get very concerned by the amount of litter by roadsides, especially on motorways. I would like to be part of the National Highways’ campaign on preventing litter and supporting wildlife. It is not good for our planet and I am making a statement through my art about single-use products and the amount of waste we all create.

Three Woodland Figures Within the woodland

Being on the autistic spectrum, I used to think and communicate visually in pictures as a young child. Art helped me to express myself. As I got older, my interest in recycling and reusing materials in art developed and my collages began to highlight issues of the environment and single-use products.

I do not like using paints or any new materials in my artwork, only recycled materials from the canvases on which I collage, to the very materials used for my art, which includes old packaging, unwanted fabrics, used scratch cards and other materials that we tend to throw away.

Bradford 2025 City of Culture is also now saving me old leaflets and other materials and I am very much hoping to be involved in one of their forthcoming art projects.

I feel it is a great privilege that my greetings cards are on display at Salts Mill.

My thanks to 1853 Gallery manager Dean Castle for selecting a large range of my designs to put on sale. They certainly make a colourful and striking display.

To find out more about James and his art visit *jamesowenthomas.com