Exploring social issues through figurative painting

This project is based on carers and their stories of looking after loved ones. The care system is coming under increasing strain as we live longer, end of life care becomes more and more complex in terms of medical support and quality of life.

FAY AND KEN.

Ken had vascular dementia and Fay, along with her mother was his carer. This is about the loss of identity and the conflict it generates through the stress and the pain of being a carer. A conflict of absence and physical presence generating a bereavement before it’s time.

Ken and Fay

RICHARD AND HELEN

Richard is Helen’s dad and she his carer. This particular portrait came about through Helen finding out about the project and inviting me to meet Richard - also an artist. During the sittings the open and candid conversations about life and death were refreshing and joyful.

Helen and Richard

Richard

Richard

DAD

This painting is from one of the many hospital visits to see dad. The bright afternoon light was streaming through the ward and dad was bathed in sunlight which created a glowing composition. I took a quick photograph and forgot about it. Later as I reviewed the image it took on a different meaning and became a statement about the state of adult social care and the NHS.

The skin is painted in heavy impasto applied with palette knife while the sheets are glazed to capture the glow of the light in the clinical surroundings.