Saint Lucian artist Orrin Vivaldi d’Auvergne has a unique creative talent. Tucked away in a quiet enclave in Castries, Orrin is harnessing his distinctive ability by creating works of art to tell his story and help raise awareness about human rights, such as gender-based violence, diversity and inclusion, and the rights of people with disabilities.
It’s not just his exuberant spirit or skill with a brush that amazes, his one-of-a-kind perspective and innovative vision shine through in his collaboration with the Including Us project, a youth development programme led by the Sacred Sports Foundation and supported by the European Union.
Born in Castries, Saint Lucia, in 1996, d’Auvergne displayed creative traits from an early age that set him apart from other children. At age six, these differences were formally recognised, and he was diagnosed with Asperger’s Syndrome, a condition on the autism spectrum. This diagnosis did not define nor limit him. His passion for creativity and the visual world blossomed as he reproduced what he saw, adding his own personal touch to each piece.
Around the age of 14, with support by his parents Crispin and Lydia, d’Auvergne began taking his first painting lessons, where, alongside experienced artists, he honed his distinctive style and has been painting ever since.
“I like to paint because it makes me happy to have a talent to share with others,” said d’Auvergne. “When I’m painting, I feel happy and relaxed”.
Accompanied by his devoted dog, Rocket, he is clearly at home. People with Asperger’s Syndrome often form deeper bonds with animals than with people. Medical research has shown that pets can be incredibly beneficial, as they offer unconditional affection, are non-judgmental, and provide both emotional and physical support and a form of therapy.
Using art as a means of self-expression and communication is a powerful way to engage people, particularly when combined with social causes. It’s clear that Orrin d’Auvergne’s work in the “Looking Forward” advocacy campaign series has made a strong impression, especially in terms of its impact on highlighting gender-based violence (GBV).
“Orrin is a visual thinker; I appreciated his natural way of communicating”. “The collaboration with SSF, has created a meaningful platform for discussing human rights while also providing a voice for youth in St. Lucia”, according to Nova Alexander, Executive Director of SSF, who first met Orrin in 2023. “As an organisation, we have always fostered creativity in helping to highlight our social programmes and community outreach, and an activity such as art is the perfect medium to encourage individuals to express themselves.
“This campaign has been incredibly impactful, notably with Orrin’s involvement, the fact that it resonates with the Saint Lucian public and especially youth shows how effective this method can be in sparking conversation and inspiring action,” explains Alexander.