When I was around 11 years old I saw a TV programme about an extrodinary British boy just a year older than myself. His name is Stephen Wiltshire and he has not just a photographic memory, but the ability to then reproduce what he has seen on paper.

In May 2005 after a helicopter flight over Tokyo he drew a 10 meter long 360 degree panorama of the city over the following 8 days. Possibly the greatest feat of memory there has ever been.

Tokyo Panorama by Stephen Wiltshire

See a larger version of the above panorama here

I love Stephen’s work, we have a shared interest in architecture and classic vehicles. Several years ago  I even bought a tiny sketch he had done of a New York taxi. It seems that  taxis have become one of his favorite things to draw, but for me his most awe-inspiring pictures are his cityscapes of London and New York. 

New York Taxi by Stephen Wiltshire

Next time I am in London I plan to visit his gallery, but until then I’ll continue to keep up to date with all his work at his website.