This podcast episode is a conversation with Nick Clark, a talented artist, musician, and teacher from New Zealand. Nick is a member of a Wellington rock band, Electric Tapestry. Nick shares his life story and talks a lot about neurodiversity—especially ADHD—and how it has shaped his journey in art and music. The podcast goes into Nick’s childhood, how he got interested in art and music, what ADHD felt like for him, and how being neurodivergent has helped him become creative and successful.
Nick Clark’s Early Life and School Experiences
Nick started having learning difficulties when he was very young, after having an accident that hurt his head. He went to a Jewish school, but that was confusing for him because he had to learn Hebrew, which he didn’t speak at home. Then Nick went to a fancy boys’ school, but he didn’t like it. He found the school very strict and even says there was some bullying and abuse. Later, he switched to a really liberal school, which was much better for him. This new school let him meet new friends, learn about art, and even get interested in music.
Discovering Neurodiversity
Nick says he always felt a bit different because he had ADHD. ADHD stands for Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder. It made him get distracted easily, daydream a lot, and want to do many things at once. When he was a kid, adults thought something was wrong—his parents even took him to a doctor to check if he was deaf—but it was just that his brain worked a bit differently.
Having ADHD made school hard for Nick. He would start many projects—like writing, drawing, and playing music—but sometimes had trouble finishing them. He describes ADHD like having “a hundred tabs open” in your brain, just like when you have too many apps on your tablet or phone!
How ADHD and Neurodiversity Affect Art and Music
Nick believes that being neurodivergent actually helps people be extra creative. Because his brain jumps from one idea to another, he can come up with a lot of new ideas for art and music. For example, he started learning piano, violin, cello, and then moved to the drums, which became his favorite. Drums helped Nick discover rock and alternative music.
Nick says sometimes, because of his ADHD, he “breaks the rules” when making music, which can create fresh and exciting new sounds. He thinks people with ADHD or who are otherwise neurodiverse often explore more unusual ways to make art and music.
Nick’s Journey as an Artist and Musician
Nick went to a fine arts college in Auckland, New Zealand. There, he didn’t just paint and draw—he also made music with his band and tried animation and performance art. Later, he became an art teacher. Interestingly, Nick didn’t even know he had ADHD until he was an adult! His principal at work helped him get tested, because Nick noticed he had trouble focusing, especially with boring tasks like paperwork.
As a teacher, Nick noticed that many of his best art students show signs of being neurodivergent, just like him. He thinks art and music class are places where neurodivergent students can really shine.
Being Neurodivergent in Everyday Life
Nick has learned how to use his ADHD to his advantage. For example, when he’s writing songs or painting, his “bouncy” brain helps him be super creative. But when he needs to focus on just one thing for a long time, like data entry, it can be hard. For these times, he sometimes uses medicine or sets up his tasks so he can switch between different activities. He says it’s important for neurodivergent people to find their own rhythm and understand what helps them do their best work.
Tips and Advice for Neurodivergent Artists and Musicians
Nick gives simple advice for young people who are neurodivergent and want to do art or music:
- Don’t be ashamed of being different—your brain is awesome!
- Practice your instrument or art skills regularly, even if it feels hard to focus sometimes.
- Use your creativity to try new ways of making art and music, even if they’re a little weird or different.
- It’s okay to ask for help or take breaks when you need to.
He also says that people who are not neurodivergent can try being a bit more creative, and people who are neurodivergent should remember to practice and finish their ideas.
Conclusion
In this podcast, Nick Clark shows us that being neurodivergent is not a weakness, but a superpower—especially in art and music! People with ADHD and other types of neurodiversity can be amazing artists and musicians because they think outside the box. Neurodiversity helps bring new ideas into the world, making art and music more interesting and fun. Kids, parents, and teachers should all celebrate neurodiversity and help creative minds shine.
You can find Nick’s band here:
https://www.facebook.com/electric.tapestry.music
You can watch the interview here: