Donico Allen is an artist like no other. He has autism and has been doing art since he was seven years old.
His specialty is crafting classic pop culture figures out of pipe cleaners.
“I like to make creative contributions to honor my iconic idols. I’ve done a number of Disney characters, I’ve done Marvel, I have also done Ghostbusters, I’ve also done Golden Girls,” said Allen.
A few years ago Donico received a lot of attention when he did 60 pipe cleaner figures of Michael Jackson for what would’ve been the musician’s 60th birthday.
Donico’s passion for art and pop culture has earned him the nickname “ The Autistic Artist ,” a name he is very proud of. He hopes all of his success inspires others.
“I do this kind of thing because it’s a profound message to people who have or don’t have autism and it is a very profound message and it’s our ability to not let anyone stop us,” said Allen.
Donico Allen was born in a prison hospital on May 29, 1992. His grandmother took him into her home and retired from her job at the U.S. Postal service to care for him and his siblings. At three years old, Donico was diagnosed with Autism. At twelve he moved with his grandmother and siblings to Millen, Georgia, where they started an organic farm.
He fell in love with creating clay figures in elementary school art class and his artistry grew from there. “I made Keanu Reeves as Neo from The Matrix films, out of clay and garbage twist-ties when I was 7 years old,” Donico says. “Clay was my first choice because I was very good at making figures with a full body. I was into making non-transitional figures out of garbage twist-ties, aluminum foil, and chenille pipe cleaners.”
He has became a local celebrity: “I have some newspaper clippings of everything that I have worked for and video homages in honoring the birthdays of Michael Jackson and Stan Lee on YouTube. I made 60 pipe cleaner figures of Michael, got interviewed at The Augusta Chronicle and made a special guest appearance at the News 12 Station. It was for what would have been Michael Jackson‘s 60th birthday, August 29th, 2018,”
His love for the King of Pop is amazing! He created more MJ figurines such as the Thriller set (zombies included) and even time to time dress and dance like Michael! What a talented young man!!
You can follow him on facebook and youtube
EYES ON: Kelly Inouye / Nashid Chroma / Lyubov Phillipson / Nathan Hernandez / Alex Ivanchak / Flintbricksproduction & Yerr Studios / Robert Sgarra / Lu Lu / Brothers Rajwinder Singh Sidhu and Gurwinder Singh Sidhu / Steve Birnbaum / Adnan Lotia / Kyès / Patrice Murciano / Manuel Díaz Domingo / Ard Gelinck / Nicole Miller / LaMarina Art / Reagan Corbett / David Ngwerume / DUANE SHOOTS TOYS / Jorge Ávila / Laurence M White / Bradley Hart / Pablo Lobato / D43 / Simone Dell’Aglio / Mockstars / Jerome Bourgeot / Georgia Duhh / Guillaume Nicollet / Yann Dalon / MIDICHI / DDA/ Marcus White
