For Benjamin Lachapelle, gloomy weather is just another reason to reach for his colourful assortment of air-dry clays. The 23-year-old autistic artist from the Laurentians in Quebec, who calls himself an 'Animal Knower,' creates whimsical clay figurines that have captured millions of online views. Now, he is set to sculpt 200 species for Ottawa's 200th anniversary.
'A lot of these figurines are incredible animals which inspire me,' Lachapelle said while holding a tray full of little handmade creatures. 'I made many species. For example, I have a vaquita, a type of porpoise. And a rare-looking zonkey, which is half-zebra, half-donkey.'
Lachapelle, the multimedia artist behind social enterprise Ben Animalia, sculpts, paints, draws, and writes books about animals. Diagnosed with classical autism at age three, he considers his artistic interest in animals his superpower. 'A lot of people who are autistic are very passionate about a certain topic,' said Julie Chou, Lachapelle's mother. 'Animals have been Ben's love since he was a very young boy.'
Born and raised in the Laurentians, Lachapelle and his mother moved to Ottawa last April, settling in Sandy Hill. 'When I was a little baby, I would always learn about animals,' Lachapelle recalled. 'When I got more into Baby Einstein and other animal movies, I would draw the animals and make my own stories. I knew how to craft with clay too.'
Chou explained that Lachapelle was first introduced to clay to improve his fine motor skills as a child. 'He was using Play-Doh and magic sand as a form of occupational therapy, and he loved it. On rainy days, this is what he likes to do.'
Last month, an Instagram video of Lachapelle sculpting his latest clay animal series, A Dreaming Place, garnered more than three million views. The collection features over 200 figurines, each depicting a sleeping animal. 'They're all slumbering, counting sheep,' Lachapelle explained. 'I'm not sure where I'll exhibit them.'
Shortly after the video went viral, the Autism Alliance of Canada invited Lachapelle to display the figurines at the Canadian Autism Leadership Summit in downtown Ottawa. He also shared Ben's Animals, a CBC Gem documentary created last year about his life and art.
Chou said they are still trying to find a permanent home for the dozing critters. 'We want to find a place that's inclusive and easy to get to for anyone who wants to see them. There's a lot of people that find them really emotional. It resonates with them.'
Recently, the City of Ottawa announced the recipients of the Ottawa 200 Artist/Creator Grants. Lachapelle was among them with his upcoming project, the Ottawa 200th Celebration Biodiversity Tree, which will feature 200 clay species to celebrate the city's bicentennial.
