After six joint shows across the country, autistic artist, Christine Mike-Nnaji, has continued to defied autism, overcoming other challenges as she staged her first solo exhibition at the Mydrim Gallery.
Autism and art can have a positive and enriching relationship. Art provides a unique avenue for autistic individuals to express themselves, communicate, and develop skills while also offering benefits like sensory regulation and emotional processing. For Christine, art is a way to redefine, interpret what is seen, and showcase her environment.
Christine was born in Dublin, Republic of Ireland and she developed teeth and started talking and walking within three years. Still, everything changed when her mother, Nonye Mike-Nnaji moved to Nigeria when she was exactly three years old.
The 19-year-old artist started staring at the wall and her mother took her to different therapists, and in 2007, she was diagnosed with Autistic Spectrum Disorder (ASD).
After years of going to different therapists, Christine’s mom settled for a school, but instead of adapting to the teachings, she was drawing on books and papers. Her teacher informed her mother that Christian was a talented artist and that the aspect should be explored.
During COVID-19, her parents employed a speech therapist, but her situation did not improve, thereafter, an art teacher was employed to teach her arts and crafts. Christine started painting on canvasses, thereby, starting her journey into art. Three weeks into drawing, Christine started speaking.
Despite her struggle, Christine fame rose and attracted both the British Broadcasting Corporation (BBC) and Guarantee Trust Bank (GTB) to feature her story and an art exhibition was held at the Terra Kulture, where she emerged as the highest-selling artist among the four autistic artists that exhibited in the show.
While her parents were happy about her exploits, Christine went into an artist blur that lasted for almost a year, not knowing she was battling puberty. With a joint six exhibition, Christine staged her first solo show at Mydrim Gallery, Norman Williams, Ikoyi Lagos where she showcased 20 works and her fashion line, Yato By Christine, from March 29, 2025, to April 2, 2025.
The theme of the show was Seen, Heard, Understood. Speaking on the show, Christiene’s mother, Nonye, said: “The theme of this year’s autism day is ‘Moving from Surviving to Thriving’, so, it’s interconnected with the theme. Christine is moving from surviving to thriving. Interestingly, Mydrim Gallery has been generous in supporting autistic artists and they want to showcase Christine’s work this year.”
Speaking on her struggles, she said: “I can’t attend a wedding or stay with other family members; I am no longer socially viable. I fell into depression when she was diagnosed; she’s my only daughter out of four children. I prayed and fasted. It was a long journey to acceptance.
“As we mark autism day this year, people should also talk about their caregivers. Before I came out this morning, I woke up around 3.00am to get her together. This is my life every day for the past 19 years. My law degree has been put aside.”
This exhibition is special because it’s her first solo and her first outing after her blur. Speaking also, founder, Mydrim Art Gallery, Sinmidele Adesanya, said: “The objective of Mydrim is to discover new artists, encourage them, and create a platform for them to showcase their work. It’s fulfilling to do this. Beyond discovering new talents, there must be an objective of touching lives; we promised to touch lives but now it’s time to diversify and touch lives in a way we haven’t been doing.
“We are on earth for assignment, and when we are done, we will leave everything, and the only thing that will be left will be the love and the impacts we’ve made. We are happy to be showing this. I could see the influences when l saw the works.”
