Nick Kelly

In their photo zine ‘Retrospective Exhibition: KnoxRoxs: Autistic Joy’ artist Jen White-Johnson showcases their son, Knox, and the joy he brings to the world as he grows up with autism. 

White-Johnson uses photo zines to showcase Knox’s radiant neurodivergent behaviors. She does this as a way of celebrating ‘autistic joy,’ but the exhibition also acts to destigmatize disabled people. White-Johnson expresses that art gives people a voice, a chance to be seen, and that the visibility that art provides is rarely granted to disabled people of color, as seen throughout her work.

‘Our differences embolden us, and our art is our key to survival,’ White-Johnson said. 

White-Johnson is a visual artist who was inspired to begin this journey after Knox was diagnosed with autism at 3-years-old. Through Knox’s diagnosis, White-Johnson started to explore their own neurodivergence. They started photographing Knox from birth and continued presently, twelve years later. The mission of their work is to demonstrate how beautiful, joyful, and meaningful autistic people are. 

‘KnoxRoxs: Autistic Joy’ features collaged photographs of Knox, with the artist’s photo zines included. 

‘So, when you walk in the gallery, you’re going to see photographs, you’re going to see moments of authenticity, of autistic joy, of radical softness, of mothering, as this really beautiful act of resistance where we are resisting oppression, where we’re resisting ableism and discrimination, and it’s colorful, it’s bold, and it’s vibrant,’ White-Johnson said. 

White-Johnson expressed how important it was as both an artist and a mother with an autistic child to represent their son in an accurate and true to life way. Because they saw how autistic people were portrayed through media representation and societal views of disabled people, they were motivated to combat this stigma through their work.

‘What does it look like when you can use photography and design to co-create magical, radical joy and radical resistance to your kid, who, again, who is often very much painted in the media as a problem or a disorder, or labeled. But being autistic, I don’t necessarily view it as a label. I see it as this really beautiful identity, this really beautiful way of existing,’ White-Johnson said. 

The exhibit encourages neurotypical people to rethink how they can be the best allies to neurodivergent people. 

‘So let this beam be your visual guide, urging you to embrace autistic joy to eradicate ableism, to create alongside us, and to value all disabled bodies and minds. Understand that allyship requires sacrifice, because allyship isn’t just kind of like appreciating that disabled people exist, that they need space to create,’ White-Johnson said.

‘KnoxRoxs: Autistic Joy’ will be showcased at Loyola’s Julio Fine Arts Gallery until Oct. 10. On Oct. 8, Autistic Justice & Joy: A Disability Zine Making Workshop will be available to all who are interested! More information can be found on the bridge.