Jeremy Sicile-Kira

In 2012, San Diego-based intuitive artist Jeremy Sicile-Kira (who communicates by typing) began to tell others about his dreams: dreams that he was painting the emotions of people into colorful abstract portraits. One night he dreamt that he painted ten of his paintings and had an art show. Jeremy was encouraged to make this dream come true, and began to paint in real life. In 2016 Jeremy’s first curated solo art show was covered by local and national media including People.com, NBC, ABC, Good Morning America. He has been a professional artist ever since.

Jeremy believes that the synesthesia which informs his paintings, is directly related to his sensitivities as an autistic person. Seeing people’s emotions and hearing their voices elicit colors; and so does listening to music. The subjects of Jeremy’s paintings range from current events, social injustice, public figures he admires, to commissioned portraits, including memorial paintings. Jeremy strives to show the inner beauty and spiritual essence of all those he paints, and provides a description of the meaning of the colors used.

Since 2016, Jeremy has participated in many curated group shows, including at the Oceanside Museum of Art, Spark’s Gallery in San Diego, and Art Basel in Miami. His art hangs in public places such as Boston’s Children’s Hospital; University of Scranton, PA; Mira Costa Collee, CA; San Diego State University; the offices of the DDS (Department of Developmental Services) in Sacramento, CA. Jeremy’s art has been licensed for use in book cover illustrations, as well as magazine articles.

In January 2023, A short documentary by filmmaker Aaron Lemle The Beautiful Colors of Jeremy Sicile-Kira aired nationally on PBS. In April, Jeremy was invited by the Guggenheim Museum in NYC to give a virtual art lesson for their Guggenheim for All program. As well, Jeremy was honored to be one of 4 artists highlighted at the NIMH/OARC Special Event for Autism Awareness Month: A Portrait of Autism: Artists and Their Works.

Advocacy for others like him who have no voice is an important part of Jeremy’s life. Jeremy co-authored a book A Full Life with Autism(Macmillan) and served as a Youth Representative to the United Nations for the Autism Research Institute (NGO); as a youth leader for the Autistic Global Initiative, and as a youth advisor to the California Employment Consortium for Youth (CECY). Currently Jeremy serves on the Spellers Advisory Council for the Teva Community.

Accomplishments in 2023 include:

PBS National

Premiere of the Short Documentary “The Beautiful Colors of Jeremy Sicile-Kira” by Aaron Lemle;

teaching a virtual art class via the Guggenheim Museum;

receiving an Achievement Award from the National Artists with Disabilities Center (NADC):

celebrating his contributions to the arts along with 14 other artists with disabilities;

being one of 4 artists highlighted in “A Portrait of Autism: Artists and Their Works” Hosted by The National Institute of Mental Health (NIMH) and the Office of Autism Research Coordination (OARC).

Truly I greatly wish for all to know their power in these times when we can feel so powerless. – Jeremy Sicile-Kira

Art has frankly given a meaning to my life. I give people hope by showing them their inner beauty and spiritual essence. As a visionary artist and a synesthete, I see emotions as color; and the energy vibrations around people and all living creatures. Music and voices also elicit color.

Before I learned to type to communicate, I frankly lived in darkness. Gradually my mother and educators were able to reach me. They realized I had hidden gifts. This gave me hope and saved me from a life of despair. It gave me my reason to live.

Now I provide hope to others by translating their spiritual essence and inner beauty into glorious bright abstract portraits. These portraits are bright daily reminders of our inner abilities and true potential, so that we can become our best selves.

My mission is to provide hope to people through my paintings and descriptions.

My vision is that the world becomes a better place when people’s spiritual essence and inner abilities are revealed.

California

United States