Artist Stephen Wiltshire Creates Detailed Cityscapes From Memory

As a child, Stephen Wiltshire found solace in sketching. Born in 1974 to West Indian parents, the Londoner encountered early challenges. Unlike most children who begin speaking by age two, Wiltshire remained silent. Diagnosed with autism at three, he turned to drawing as his voice. "As a young boy, I couldn't speak, so drawing became my way of expressing myself," he shares via email. "I sketched animals, London buses, and even the demolition of large buildings. It was my way of communicating what words couldn't."

Forty-five years later, Wiltshire has not only continued expressing himself through art but has also risen to become one of Britain's most celebrated artists. His commissioned works have waiting periods of four to eight months, and he is often surrounded by fans and photographers, as seen in the trailer for his upcoming documentary, "Billions of Windows." While his path to success wasn't easy, Wiltshire's extraordinary journey has fascinated the world for years.

Expressing Through Visual Art

At five years old, Wiltshire enrolled at Queensmill School in London, a facility dedicated to educating children and young adults with autism. The staff soon discovered that Wiltshire could communicate effectively, though he preferred using drawings over spoken words. Recognizing his passion for art, they tested his reliance on it by temporarily removing his supplies. This strategy proved successful, as Wiltshire uttered his first word: "Paper," in an effort to retrieve his tools. By age nine, he was speaking in complete sentences. However, long before mastering verbal communication, Wiltshire had already stunned those around him with his artistic talent, creating intricate sketches of animals, London landmarks, and architectural designs by the age of seven.

"I love capturing the balance between chaos and order in my drawings — the bustling rush hour traffic contrasted with the structured avenues, skyscrapers, and the people who bring cities to life," Wiltshire explains. "I also appreciate how some elements of the scenery remain timeless while others are always evolving."

Wiltshire's unique perspective on urban environments and his talent for translating them onto paper quickly caught the attention of his teachers. One dedicated teacher took him on sketching trips and submitted his artwork to children's art contests. Wiltshire started winning accolades, and the local media soon became curious about how such a young artist could create such remarkable pieces.

While some were skeptical, others, like Prime Minister Edward Heath, were immediate admirers. At just 8 years old, Wiltshire sold one of his drawings of Salisbury Cathedral to Heath. In 1987, at age 13, he was featured in the BBC program "The Foolish Wise Ones," where Hugh Casson, former president of London's Royal Academy of Arts, hailed him as "possibly the best child artist in Britain."

Casson played a pivotal role in connecting Wiltshire with literary agent Margaret Hewson, leading to the publication of his first book, "Drawings," which showcased his early sketches. Two years later, after traveling to New York City with Hewson to sketch its iconic skyscrapers, Wiltshire released his second book, "Cities."

"I’m drawn to the intricate details of windows, shades, sharp edges, and greenery in urban landscapes," Wiltshire explains. "I often enhance these scenes with mood and atmosphere, tweaking elements to improve their overall appeal."

Capturing the World's Cities Through Art

Following the success of his second book, Wiltshire set off on a sketching journey through Venice, Amsterdam, Leningrad, and Moscow, gathering material for his third publication, "Floating Cities." In 1992, a Japanese TV network invited him to tour Japan and sketch iconic landmarks, such as Shinjuku's metropolitan government building. A year later, he released "American Dream," featuring cityscapes of Chicago, San Francisco, and New York, alongside desert landscapes of Arizona.

Wiltshire's exceptional talent and prolific output amazed audiences, but his creative process was equally intriguing: Many of his intricate drawings were crafted entirely from memory, such as a panoramic sketch of Rome, featuring landmarks like the Vatican and St. Peter's Cathedral.

After numerous international trips, awards, and career milestones, Wiltshire now operates his own permanent gallery in London's Royal Opera Arcade and has been honored by Queen Elizabeth II as a Member of the Order of the British Empire. While architecture and cityscapes dominate his most famous works, he also enjoys creating portraits of celebrities and classic American cars. "I adore '70s movies with their massive, luxurious cars cruising wide roads like boats," Wiltshire shares. "I’m also fond of '70s culture, including disco, and earlier eras like the '60s with motown music."

Music remains a significant influence on his artistic process even today. "I always have music playing while I draw," he explains. "From '60s motown and R&B to '70s disco and modern hits, it helps me concentrate. I also enjoy playing the piano and singing, though it’s just a pastime."

Despite his immense success, Wiltshire remains dedicated to his craft, drawing daily and constantly exploring new ways to depict the world. He lives by his personal motto: "Always do your best and never give up."