This durable 16'W x 3'D x 14'H canvas tote bag is made with 100% natural, eco-friendly material and features original artwork by Joey Chapman, an autistic individual. Natural, beige 12oz fabric. Canvas bags are the most durable reusable bags and last hundreds of times longer than traditional PET shopping bags. Show your support for Autism Acceptance Month with this one of a kind tote!

The inspiration of the artist behind this beautiful tote:

My name is Joey Chapman. I am an artist and photographer living in Halifax, Nova Scotia.

I created this piece of artwork with the intention of empowering those around me who often feel overlooked and misunderstood. This piece represents the immense courage that it takes as an autistic person to actively pursue our own self-expression and individuality in a world that begs us to conform.

Many people find comfort in their home when their bed spread is the same colour as the wall paper and the rug is familiar to the curtain. It means there is connection and therefore, union. On the contrary, each subject in this piece feels unique to the eye, yet there is an overwhelming sense of oneness that lingers within the expression of diversity.

This is to pull apart the idea that to belong, we must be the same. I would like to disassemble the stereotypes we have placed on the Autistic community, as well as the common idea that in order to be autistic we must look and perform in an “Autistic manner”. Autism does not have one face; it is made up of many unique experiences that shape who we are.

I hope that my composition will inspire the viewer to look within and recognize the ways in which our perspective has been shaped and moulded by our environment. I want the viewer to ask themselves what categorical box they have placed autism in and to acknowledge that now is the time to find their own individual perspective and truth.

Find out more about Joey here.