In(visible) Minds explores the shadows of dementia, shining light on its stigma and challenges. The artist’s personal encounter with this umbrella of syndroms and the use of art as a medium to understand it, resulted in a body of work that explores the transformation of identity and re-shaping of memories. It looks inside the person with dementia, making invisible visible.
Dementia is becoming a major health issue in the UK as the population gets older. Right now, about 850,000 people in the UK have dementia, with around 676,000 of them in England. Up to 50 million people worldwide are thought to be living with dementia, with numbers projected to triple by 2050. Its proximity is close and real and the lack of confirmed cure is the priority. It not only affects the person with the illness but also those who care for them. There are misunderstandings and wrong beliefs about dementia. By producing artwork highlighting it, the artist raises awareness about the condition, vividly illustrating the realities and challenges faced by those affected. In addition to the body of work, art activities for peple with dementia provide a therapeutic outlet, allowing them to express emotions and thoughts that might be hard to communicate verbally, thereby reducing isolation and fostering a sense of empowerment and joy.
Natalia is the ambassador of Arts 4 Dementia, a leading UK charity providing creative opportunities for people with early stage dementia.
