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Submitted: July 21, 2011
Image Size: 2.5 MB
Resolution: 2163×3059

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Beyond Forgottenby ~A-L-i-E-Nxx

Community Projects / Awareness / 2011 / Alzheimer Awareness

I dunno if the genre is right- but here's my Realism body of work c:
UH, it used to have some painted vegetables involved, but it was kinda ditched because it was half-arsed~
I'll just- copy paste my artist description here :

The concept that I’ve tried to convey in this artwork is the mental decay that’s involved with dementia.
The disease is commonly connected to the term of ‘forgetful-ness’ the disease of the mind. What makes it so destructive is not just that they forget to brush their teeth or when to have dinner- but they forget who they love. I have three grandparents who are suffering from dementia, and I’ve watched my parents struggle with dealing with someone who they care for so much; not recall who they are.

The subject I have here is my grandmother.

I have shown this mental distance by having the head canvas floating further away from her body, her past and physical presence not understood in her present state.
Although this is a key aspect of dementia, what I really wanted to show was that in fact, the victim isn’t the only one who forgets. It’s the people who care about them, too.

I know when I was a kid, I used to visit my grandmother once every week; and she’d baby sit me when I was sick. She’d read me stories and play card games. Although I know that she used to be the person she was then, all I can remember of her now is what I see now; unstable, unrecognisable and in an almost child-like state. And I feel guilty, for forgetting who she really is. Because all I see now is a physical existence, but not being completely present anymore; not really being my grandmother anymore.

I demonstrated this by painting her body onto an actual rocking chair. Although her body is visible, the very person who it depicts is no longer 'real'.

Featured: [link]

EDIT: Oh gosh, a DD! I'm speechless!
Thank you all so much for your support- and I hope that all of you with personal experiences with the disease have things turn out for the best.
I wish it were under better circumstances, you all have these stories and I'm so sorry for all of you--
I'm always here to talk about it, if you need to c:

Daily Deviation

Given 2011-07-22

Beyond Forgotten by ~A-L-i-E-Nxx

CATEGORY: Community Projects / Awareness / 2011 / Alzheimer Awareness:

The suggester says of this heart-breaking, traditional-art deviation, "I think this is a very special piece and it has an important message to say."

Having lost friends and relatives to Alzheimer's Disease, this deviation is especially meaningful to me. The artist description explains the concept that the body is still there, but the mind is completely gone. ( Suggested by ~JiNdAwG and Featured by `WDWParksGal )

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!KirahLykos Nov 13, 2011 Hobbyist General Artist

I am a care giver of Alz/Dem. victims. It is so hard for me to watch them struggle and look so lost day to day. For their children, it's harder for me to watch them get so upset and see their mom or dad look them straight in the face and ask who they are.

All I can do is cry with them and comfort them. It's a very harsh disease and one that I wish we could cure one day. [link] I recieved this as an email from a friend and one quote she added after it: “Life isn’t about how to survive the storm, but how to dance in the rain.” We are all getting older. Tomorrow may be our turn.

~A-L-i-E-Nxx Nov 15, 2011

Ahh, that link! Such a beautiful story--
It really is the love from others that allows you to live on after Dementia hits.
But until then- you should definitely live it up, it could most certainly hit at any time.

I commend your strength in being a carer! I don't think I could manage with that much sorrow on such a constant basis.
Nursing homes and such always have such a terrible vibe for me-- aha.

!KirahLykos Nov 15, 2011 Hobbyist General Artist

Some days it's hard to see them struggle and some days they are just to happy to notice. I love my job and everything about it. I used to dislike nursing homes but after working in one there is no other place I would want to work

~A-L-i-E-Nxx Nov 16, 2011

Ahh, well I'm so glad there are people like you who work in them! <33
I feel it's important that at least those who work there actually think and care for their 'patients'
I suppose when they are blissfully ignorant, it feels a lot better.
But the bad days must be a real struggle.

!KirahLykos Nov 16, 2011 Hobbyist General Artist

Before working in a nursing home, I had never really thought about. but now, it's really painful to see them struggle with simple tasks like brushing their hair or putting on underwear. I love my job either way and even though they don't really remember things. Ask them about their past and they'll give a really long story and it's always nice to hear how they grew up and how happy they were.

~A-L-i-E-Nxx Dec 12, 2011

All jobs have their highs and lows I guess~
Some really do grasp onto life, and you can tell when they are so enthusiastic about life in the past C:
I have one grandfather who is completely silent, until he hears some music that he used to listen to- then he just breaks out in song. It almost sends my uncle to tears.

!KirahLykos Dec 13, 2011 Hobbyist General Artist

Aww

I admit, sometimes my job is very hard emotionally on me, but I never get tired of it.

~A-L-i-E-Nxx Dec 14, 2011

I hope I end up finding an occupation where I feel the same c:

(1 Reply)

~WinterImperfect Oct 9, 2011 Hobbyist Traditional Artist

I just came across this now. My grandmother had it and this is exactly what it's like. Beautifully captured.

~A-L-i-E-Nxx Oct 11, 2011

Ah, thankyou very much.
I'm sorry about your grandmother :c

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