Bournemouth University

News and Events

Content only version

Portrait and postcard exhibition at BU to give voice to people with dementia

31 May 2013

Professor Anthea Innes, Director of BUDI (Don't) Mention Dementia was created by artist Derek Eland and the BU Dementia Institute, and will be officially closed by Alzheimer's Society ambassador Angela Rippon.

An innovative exhibition created by the Bournemouth University Dementia Institute (BUDI) and artist Derek Eland will give a voice to people with dementia.

(Don't) Mention Dementia is an immersive pictorial exhibition, featuring hand–written postcards and portrait pictures.

A diary room approach was used to capture the honest and emotional stories of nearly 600 Dorset residents about dementia, and the views of those living with dementia about their experiences.

The exhibition follows on from Derek's ground–breaking work with soldiers and civilians on the front line in Afghanistan, and reveals the gap in perception between those who live with dementia and the general public.

Professor Anthea Innes, Director of BUDI, said: "Whilst the work was undertaken in Dorset, the response and the messages is universal from those living with dementia, family members, carers and members of the general public, with the postcards and pictures acting as an innovative voice to express their fears, their concerns and their hopes for the future."

(Don't) Mention Dementia will be on display at Kimmeridge House, on Bournemouth University's Talbot Campus, from 10am on Monday 3 June.

The exhibition will be closed by broadcaster and Alzheimer's Society ambassador Angela Rippon on Thursday 13 June at 12.30pm.

She said she was looking forward to seeing it.

"As an Alzheimer's Society ambassador, I know how important it is to challenge the stereotypes surrounding dementia," she said.

"That's why projects like this are so important in showing the public the real face of dementia, the person behind the diagnosis."

(Don't) Mention Dementia has received support from The Alzheimer's Society, Age UK, Brandon Care Homes and local community groups and businesses in Dorset.

It has already attracted international interest, and is also due to be displayed in Malta in October 2013.

The (Don't) Mention Dementia exhibition is free to visit, and takes place as part of BU's Festival of Learning. To find out more visit the Festival of Learning page.

Find out more about Bournemouth University Dementia Institute

Return to News Menu page