Istanbul recreated in the memory of an English artist

ISTANBUL - Anadolu Agency

Stephen Wiltshire is using his photographic memory to draw a panoramic image of Istanbul after a 45-minute helicopter tour of the city.

An autistic man with an extraordinary talent is drawing Istanbul using his photographic memory after a 45-minute helicopter tour of the city.

English artist Stephen Wiltshire, 33, will complete his pencil drawing on a huge canvas at the entrance of a shopping mall within five days, using only his mental images of the city’s historic heart.

Wiltshire said he had never visited Istanbul before his helicopter tour. “What attracted me most is the mosques and the historical peninsula. I will enjoy drawing a panoramic image of Istanbul,” he said.

Wiltshire has his own gallery in London and received an award from Britain’s Queen Elizabeth in 2006 for his contribution to the art world.

He said he has drawn Rome, Hong Kong, Frankfurt, Madrid, Dubai, Jerusalem and New York City, adding that the Big Apple was his favorite city to draw.

“New York City’s hectic life, skyscrapers and yellow taxis get me excited. I've drawn it many times and enjoy it every time,” he said.

Wiltshire was only three years old when his parents were informed by doctors that he is autistic. He was unable to speak until he reached the age of four, but the first word he uttered was “paper.”

“I started to draw when I was five. I drew churches and old buildings in my hometown, London. And then I was interested in drawing taxis, buses and lorries. Finally I started to draw cities from above,” he said.

Wiltshire's work will be available to view at the entrance of the Palladium shopping mall in Ataşehir, on Istanbul’s Asian side.