KARL FREDERIC MENESES: "REFLECTIONS IN BLACK AND WHITE"

“Reflections in Black and White” 

KARL FREDERIC MENESES

April 2019

Karl Meneses was 18 years old when he suffered a traumatic brain injury in a car accident. The accident affected his memory and cognitive ability, and he also has to take daily anti-seizure medication. Nonetheless, Karl, now 43 years old, does not let his disability deter him from making art. In fact, art is a primary focus in his life in Las Pinas, Metro Manila.

Karl’s focus relates in part to how autistic tendencies surfaced as a result of his accident. Studies have shown how, as the title of this referenced article says, the “Autistic Brain Excels at Recognizing Patterns.” Patterns obviously exist across the 32 journal covers created by Karl and exhibited at North Fork Arts Projects. The article by Amanda Chann for Live Science begins with

Brain regions associated with recognizing patterns tend to light up more in autistic people than the general population, perhaps explaining why those with autism often excel at visual tasks, a new study finds.

The brain regions in question are called the temporal and occipital areas, and are associated with perception and recognition of patterns.

A new review of multiple studies determined that people with an autism spectrum disorder tend to have more brain activity in these regions, and less brain activity in frontal brain regions associated with planning and decision-making.

The studies provide evidence that people with autism tend to perform strongly on visual tasks, said researcher Laurent Mottron of the Centre for Excellence in Pervasive Development Disorders at the University of Montreal.

(The same pattern mastery exists in another autistic artist represented in North Fork Arts Project’s permanent collection, John Patrick McKenzie.)

Fortunately, Karl’s artworks not only present patterns but wonderful images. With the help of his mother Millie Meneses, Karl answered a few questions for his exhibit:

How do you come up with your imagery for the book covers? 

I get my inspiration from nature and from observation of ongoings when I sit around in the mall.

Why did you decide to combine your drawings with journals instead of just leaving them as drawings?

I wanted my art to be integrated into something functional—something that a person looks at every time he/she writes in the journal.

Have you ever taken art classes? Or how did you come to focus on art?

I attended different art workshops at the University of the Philippines College of Fine Arts after my accident but, really, I've always loved drawing since I was a child. Back then, I was into anime, manga, cartoon drawing.

How do you feel when you make these drawings?

Drawing helps me release my stresses and anxieties. And I also draw when I'm happy.

Are you making other types of art besides these journal covers?

I also make origami boxes and hardboard boxes with drawings on them.

Karl also created this charming hand-drawn "business card" (click on image to enlarge):

Thank you, Karl. North Fork Arts Projects are glad that your accident has not prevented you from continuing to explore and make art.

The following are close-up shots of individual journal covers by Karl:

***

***

Karl's sister, Kathleen Mae Meneses, also wrote poems based on Karl's art. North Fork is delighted at the chance to feature them:

Curves and Corners

Look me in the eye

And flow free

Like water on the edge of a knife

Rise with the winds

Fall with the waves

And see what I’m made of

The Kindness of Your Heart

Tears freeze behind your smiles

And conjure love in their wintry refuge

They spring forth beauty without color

Passion in black and white

And warmth that surpasses everything else in this tired world

Run To Me

Beyond your waters running wild

Are quiet streams of whispering willows

That trickle down your dry lips

And make them pour out words

That call you to your paradise

***

North Fork Arts Projects is delighted to donate up to ten of Karl Meneses' books for a pop-up fundraiser for the worthy Philippine American Writers & Artists (PAWA). If you donate (any amount) to PAWA and let us know, we will send you one of Karl's books! You simply make a donation at the PAWA site, and then email us you did so! You can email us for more information at galateaten at gmail dot com