How a Delaware County artist with autism is turning creativity into his superpower and inspiring others
WYNNEWOOD, Pa. (CBS) — A Delaware County artist with autism is inspiring others to embrace their own unique abilities.
Suwon Cho, 24, of Radnor Township is turning his creativity into his superpower. The self-taught artist has created more than 500 drawings and paintings, many of which depict scenes from the Bible. His portfolio has been published in a book called "Suwon's One-Cut QT."
"I'm not an artistic person," Cho's older sister, Sehyun Cho, said. "It's actually very amazing to see my very close family being talented in art."
Cho's paintings also hang on the walls at the Center for Creative Works (CCW), an art studio in Wynnewood, Montgomery County that serves neurodiverse artists. Staff members said Cho's work was a hit at the Outsider Art Fair, which took place from Feb. 29 to March 3 in New York City.
"I'd love to see him continue to make bigger compositions," Samantha Mitchell, exhibitions manager at CCW, said. "I'd like to continue bringing his work to larger stages nationally and internationally. I think he has incredible promise."
Cho adds Korean words to every painting to summarize the artwork. Some artists use an app to get an instant translation.
"He brings a diversity to the neurodiverse artist world," Theodore Murphy, program specialist at CCW, said. "It allows for someone to go up to his artwork and know that's part of who he is, that's part of his identity, and I think that's really beautiful."
Cho's mother said art is helping him get closer to God and people. He draws portraits of fellow church members, including Eunyoung Park, of Chesterbrook.
"I think he gives hope to anyone who thinks that they cannot do something because of a small obstacle, and he inspires people to do what they love," Park said. "He's awesome."
