Abstract

Peter Myers' intricate and ornately patterned drawings are brought together for the first time in this volume, which is the fascinating result of the collaboration of an artist and two scientists. The beautiful, complex images (included in full-page colour as well as black and white reproductions) serve as a rare window into the precision and exacting creativity of the Asperger mind at work.

Peter Myers was diagnosed with Asperger Syndrome in 1996 and his work reflects his stunning ability to plan and to organise visual information, and to embed illusions within his pictures. Peter's brief explanatory captions which accompany the images offer insight into the ways in which he composes his pictures.

In the main text of the book, psychologists Simon Baron-Cohen and Sally Wheelwright discuss the work's great psychological significance, demonstrating in accessible language their ground-breaking systemizing theory of how the autistic mind processes information.

`I think all parents and teachers should read this book - it will help them understand a little better what we have to go through. In the last chapter the psychologists talk more about autism. I found this most interesting to read about this from a scientific point of view.'
Autism Matters (Autism West Midlands)
`Peter's artwork is fantastically detailed and wonderfully creative. This book, containing a range of his artwork with the artists own captions, would make a lovely present for anyone with an interest in art or ASD.'
Communication
`An Exact Mind is one of the best books about the work of an artist with a psychological disorder that I have seen. Psychologists Simon Baron-Cohen and Sally Wheelwright discuss the light Myer's work sheds on theories of Autism and Asperger's. It's a beautifully produced paperback, and the pictures are extremely strong and beautiful. It is worked I'd be very pleased to have adorning my own home. The book will also appeal to the many people who have a friend or relative with Asperger's, partly because it sheds some light on the subjective experience of living with the condition. Highly recommended.'
Christian Perring,
`Peter Myers' fantastically intricate and precise artworks are reproduced in the book and then analysed by the editors. But apparently Myers had his own ideas about their comments on his work and insisted on writing responses - which the publisher then included in the text. Most original.'
The Bookseller
This is a perfect marriage of awe inspiring artwork with an insight into the artists own thoughts on his creative process, and also a commentary by leading psychologists Simon Baron-Cohen and Sally Wheelwright. The commentary is especially illuminating as they explain the different psychological approaches that are currently en vogue and try and apply it to Peter. This highlights just how complex autism is to diagnose, let alone explain.
Bfkbooks.com
`The book showcases the intricate and ornately patterned drawings of Peter Myers who was diagnosed with Asperger Syndrome in 1996… In the main text of An Exact Mind, psychologists Simon Baron-Cohen and Sally Wheelwright discuss the psychological significance of Peter's works and explain in accessible language their theories of how the autistic mind processes information: his complex images serve as a rare window into the precision and exacting creativity of the Asperger mind at work.'
Communication
Dr Simon Baron-Cohen is Professor of Developmental Psychopathology at Cambridge University and a Fellow of Trinity College. He is also Co-Director of the Autism Research Centre in Cambridge, and runs a clinic for adults with Asperger Syndrome. Sally Wheelwright is Senior Research Associate at the Autism Research Centre in Cambridge. Peter Myers' work has appeared in exhibitions all over the world and has been made into postcards. Peter has Asperger Syndrome and lives independently, in his own house in York.
`This wonderful book presents a diverse selection of the art of Peter Myers…It features interview quotes and descriptions of Peter's works in his own words. This book is written and presented with profound respect for Peter and his incredible talents. This is the PERFECT "coffee table" book for anyone involved in the autism /Asperger spectrum.'
The MAAP