Art exhibition gives insight into living with dementia
People with dementia, their families and care practitioners from across the region have contributed to a new University of Sheffield exhibition, which will explore what life is like living with the condition.
Hosted by the University's School of Nursing and Midwifery, the exhibition will showcase over 100 items of original creative art exploring the theme of 'Love'. In addition to providing an insight into what love means for people with dementia, the exhibition will also aim to demonstrate the talents and experiences of all people living with, or affected by the disease.
From stunning life-size figures designed by artists at Sheffield Alzheimer's Society Boyden House to the coupling of a portrait of a woman with her audio-recorded reaction, to a poem written by a care home domestic, the exhibition will include a range of art work to highlight the poignant theme.
The exhibition, which opened this week (12th April 2010), has been organised by David Reid, a lecturer in the School of Nursing and Midwifery who also runs a specialist cause entitled Foundations in Relationship-Centred Dementia Care. This course, which runs twice a year, recognises that relationships between people lie at the heart of the possibility of improvements to dementia care services. Like the exhibition, the course has a strong focus on partnership and was originally designed in conjunction with local people with dementia, families and care practitioners.
David said: "The main objective of the exhibition is to encourage others to walk in the footsteps of people with dementia and their families. When designing the course, this was the main message that came from talking to these experts in dementia and we hope that the exhibition will also encourage this."
After appearing at Samuel Fox House at the Northern General Hospital for a week, the exhibition will move to the Jessop West Exhibition Space at the University at the end of May before appearing in an online gallery: www.dcae2010.blogspot.com
David Reid is also cementing the School's strong international links in the Middle East. After a successful presentation to the International Nursing Symposium in Riyadh last October, David is speaking on dementia education at the Jordanian Nursing Council's International Nursing Conference at the end of this month.
Notes for Editors: For more information on the dementia care courses offered by the School of Nursing and Midwifery and dementia awareness study days, please visit the below link.
The exhibition will be based at the Jessop West exhibition space from Tuesday 25 May 2010 to Friday 28 May, 10am-4pm.
For further information please contact: Lauren Anderson, Media Relations Officer, on 0114 2221046 or email l.h.anderson@sheffield.ac.uk