Print
Email
Art exhibit shows struggle with Alzheimer’s disease
Dawn Emerson’s solo art show “Without Mind” represents the struggle with Alzheimer’s disease from the perspective of her own personal experience. Dawn’s father died of Alzheimer’s and now she is watching as the disease takes away her mother Joy’s life. In many ways it is also an expression of understanding and compassion with the many who share the experience on the dementia journey.
“I have shed many tears but also laughed at warm memories through the development of these art pieces,” explains Dawn. “My artwork captures a dialogue of my parents’ experience with Alzheimer’s intertwined with the loss of communication and my fight to keep their memories alive.”
“Without Mind” shares with the viewer striking aspects of the dementia journey such as the moment of acceptance of the destiny that is beyond our control in “Vulnerability”. In the series “Diminishing Words”, the image of Dawn’s mother slowly turns away from the viewer. In each, the background contains words and drawings typed or handwritten by Joy Emerson until only a contorted signature appears representing her final mark-making ability.
Dawn’s goal in creating this exhibit is to raise awareness about the work of the Alzheimer Society of B.C. A portion of all sales from the exhibit will be donated to the Society.
“Without Mind”
Date: September 9 – October 9, 2010
Location: Place des Arts, 1120 Brunette Avenue, Coquitlam, B.C.
Click for larger image
Dawn Emerson, Barbara Vengshoel and Alzheimer Society of B.C. Fund Development Director David Walker at the opening of Dawn's show.
