Alison Silva is a 33-year-old artist from New Jersey. In 2006, doctors at Columbia's New York Presbyterian Hospital diagnosed Silva with a brain lesion, called a hemangioma, in her brain's left temporal lobe. Because the lesion has heightened Silva's artistic ability, and despite the risk of seizures or death, she has refused an operation to remove it.
The Artists' Sanctuary
Silva is featured in a documentary about outsider or visionary art work by self-taught artists called The Artists' Sanctuary. Produced by Dog Day Productions and directed by Silva's longtime friend Ross Brodar, The Artists' Sanctuary tells the story of three unconventional artists living and painting together in the Full Moon Art Center in East Moriches, New York. The Artists' Sanctuary will be submitted to film festivals in 2009.ABC News: Deadly Brain Lesion Fuels Artist's Talent (June 2, 2009)
References
Fast Facts
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Name
Alison Silva
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Age
33 years old (in 2009)
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From
New Jersey
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Occupation
Artist
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Artistic Education
Self-taught
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Artistic Topics
Make-believe worlds and fantasy creatures
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Featured
Silva's artwork has been featured in art shows and galleries across the United States, as well as Europe and Asia
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Artistic Comparisons
Silva's post-diagnosis works have been compared to Picasso and Van Gogh
