MARIA ILIOU
Disability: Autistic
Maria Iliou is a Greek artist with autism spectrum condition. She is a life long resident of Long Island, New York, and is deeply involved as an advocate for the rights of people with autism. Her subject matter varies from the abstract to scenes of nature and family life. Maria has also organized her own autism group, Athena Autistic Artist. She is an artist with talent on many levels. She also writes poetry and is soon to have a book of her poems published.
Maria has also won many awards for her painting and poetry. These awards range from the Burke Rehabilitation Hospital Art Show to the Gallery on the Hill, Brookhaven, New York. She was also selected as the artist for the greeting cards of the Autism Society of America in 2007, 2008 and 2009. Her paintings are also on display at numerous Libraries and at Banks through out Long Island, New York.
ARTISTS MEDIA:
Maria paints in a variety of mediums; Oils, acrylics, watercolors and mixed media.
I am a Greek Autistic artist. My greatest sense of self, of connecting with the world around me, comes from participating in the “Arts” – drawings, paintings, poetry, dance, acting, yoga, photography, and editing. I’m an artist with talent on many hidden, unique levels. I write poetry, and make hand-made macrame plant hangers, macrame hanging tables and floral arts; flower arrangements, and corsages.
I’m the Director Manager, Founder of the autism group, ATHENA AUTISTIC ARTIST. This group is made up of autistic people who become friends and family. We enjoyed social activities such as traveling together, trips, Christmas holiday and birthday parties, homemade foods with performances arts of poetry, acting, plays, going out to eat, miniature golf, and movies at home.
I’m Director Manager, Founder and have organized…designed, created my own home college: ATHENA AUTISTIC ARTIST COLLEGE. This college is designed for my daughter to give her college experiences and teach and work with her through performing arts as Athena is gifted artist. I’m the autism ambassador for Long Island, New York City.
Our future plans are to give others the same experiences as Athena and will be designed to their needs and abilities.
Tranquilities within her paintings of Expressions
Are unique varieties of emotions that
Spiritually touches Maria’s heart of soul
Extraordinarily Gifted feelings of accomplishment
Two expressive avenues are though her drawings and paintings
These illustrate a heart rendering appreciation of
Remembrances visualized and presented in the Art gallery
My paintings were selected as the artist for the greeting cards for the Autism Society of America in 2007, 2008, 2009 and 2010.
ATHENA
From the depth of history, the name
Athena echoes with meaning…
Wisdom of arts
Fountain of knowledge
Pure innocence and beauty
In my life, the gifted daughter
Athena resonates with life
Able to translate inner beauty
Onto canvas, a capable
Abstract artist
Pictures transfer images
Seen only in her mind
Transformed from brilliant
Smile, or heartbreakingly
Teary eyes
A gift in my life, another
Perspective, different yet
Powerful, touching the deepest parts
Of my heart and soul
Empathic, my entire body feels
Her emotions, penetrating inner layers
As the core of my being
Echoes with meaning
Constantly in my thoughts, simplistic
Yet sensitive conversations arise
From the connection that binds
MARIA ILIOU
© 2010 MARIA ILIOU
