Edward K. Weatherly

In addition to navigating schizophrenia, substance use disorder, a lack of housing, homosexuality, and HIV, Edward is a self-taught pop-graffiti artist and talented pianist. Edward was a gifted child, scoring an IQ of 140 at the age of 10. He excelled in academics, classical piano, and musical theatre. Before the age of twenty he had amassed more awards than some people do in a lifetime. 

One of Edward’s accomplishments includes a full scholarship to attend Armand Hammer United World College of the American West (UWC-USA), one of 17 around the world, an educational institution that is “…committed to bringing together exceptionally talented and motivated students from all parts of the globe in a challenging learning environment dedicated to international understanding through education.” Her Majesty Queen Noor is President and Nelson Mandela was the Honorary President of the United World Colleges. 

Upon graduating from UWC-USA, Edward received a full scholarship to attend Trinity College, at the University of Toronto. However, it was here that Edward demonstrated his first psychotic episode, preventing him from graduating. Edward was subsequently diagnosed with paranoid schizophrenia. For the first time during treatment, Edward began expressing his reality through drawings of colourful aliens, revealing influences of his idol: Keith Haring. 

Inspired by Edward’s life and artwork, his sister Nicole M. Weatherly founded Superstar X, to promote greater awareness and understanding of the challenges that Edward faced and to celebrate the superstar in all of us. Edward’s artwork is the most iconic representation of Edward’s state, a doorway into the looking glass of his mind. Explore Edward’s current exhibition, “Alien Realities,” at The X Shop. Purchases support him (60%), pay-it-forward (10%), and Superstar X (30%) to celebrate being humxn and destigmatize being different. Brighten his day by purchasing fine art prints, wearable art, and more!