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Abstract or Summary

Art is Yaniv's way of leading us into and sharing his expression of a world of joy and passion that he perhaps could not otherwise communicate. Being born outside the square with Asperger syndrome places Yaniv on the edge of a spectrum yet on canvas he dares to push boundaries that might not have been challenged otherwise. His 2009 exhibition tour was called 'y-artism' because a new movement may be emerging where art combines with autism. After the Waikato Society of Arts 10th anniversary exhibition, a New Zealand contemporary art collector acquired one of his works: "It's been a long time since I have seen such fresh and original work - I'd like to express my support in the development of his career". In the first 18 months of his painting career, he featured in 15 exhibitions, 6 of these as solo artist and sold over 65 paintings in the USA, Europe and other parts of the world. Five more national and international exhibitions are planned in 2009 at the time of going to press. Yaniv's budding talent has been recognised by arts critics as being part of the "Waikato talent pool" (Waikato Times) and arts personalities such as Natasha Conland, Curator Auckland Art Gallery who selected his painting as a finalist for the Trust Waikato National Contemporary Arts Award ("Yaniv's colour and texture combination is unique and exciting"). Similarly, the three judges for the Wallace Trust Arts Award (Linda Tyler, Director of the Centre for New Zealand Art Research and Discovery with Dick Frizzell and James Robinson, well known New Zealand artists) recognised his talent by selecting him as a semi finalist for 2008. These are two of the most prestigious Art Awards in New Zealand, and Yaniv was the youngest artist featuring in both.