Age & Legacy (2017-18) — Social Art Library

By

Sheree Murphy & Rich Thair

Image description: a person with crossed arms, standing in front of a white stone wall. They are wearing a russet-coloured jacket and blue cotton shirt. A tattoo is visible on one of their hands. Photo credit: Sheree Murphy.

Exploring dementia through sight & sound.

Age & Legacy is an arts installation exploring dementia through sight and sound, in collaboration with musician, Rich Thair.

My late grandmother passed away from dementia in 2014 and this body work is my testimony to how it felt, to witness my Nan's slow decline.

Inspired by the quotation, ‘All the world’s a stage’ (taken from William Shakespeare’s As You Like It), the project contains a message that storytelling and its shared experience is fundamental to our identity & life experiences. I witnessed dementia steal my Nan's thoughts, memories and mobility, but I knew she was still alive inside.

Age & Legacy is about not being scared to speak out and break the stigma of dementia, and empower people to talk. Funded by the Arts Council of Wales and supported by The Pontardawe Arts Centre.

“Very Moving, would be a great match to coincide with a sensory garden.”

— Kirstie Richards (Neath Port Talbot Area Coordinator)

To watch a video about Age & Legacy, click the link here.

Featured

Sheree Murphy

I am an interdisciplinary research based artist, my relationship with art has always been one of limitless possibilities that has introduced me to the most amazing people and communities who have shared their incredible life stories and experiences with me.

Currently I have been working on a new body of work called ‘Hollywood’ which has been inspired by a Welsh journalist and broadcaster whose career has spanned over forty years, who is now living with dementia. I have recorded their oral history which has been incredible and a privilege to listen to and archive.

I am also an Associate Artist at The Glynn Vivian Art Gallery in Swansea, South Wales. My role is to focused on disability arts. To increase more opportunities for people with disabilities to express themselves creatively in an inclusive arts practice. And create new opportunities for people with disabilities and non disabilities to work and collaborate together.

Since 2013 I have been an arts facilitator with the Alternative Arts School at the gallery, which is a visual arts programme working with artists with learning disabilities. The sessions are self directed, focusing on the creative process and exploration of art mediums and techniques which are inspired by the exhibitions at the gallery, Richard Glynn Vivian’s collections, life experiences and interests.

www.thedryingroom.org