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‘Janet’ [Lin-da] noun YODyssey 2023—The Art of Living Well with Young Onset Dementia
3 March, 2023 @ 5:30 pm - 7:30 pm
Main Gallery and Front Room
Exhibition runs: 3 March – 22 March 2023
An exhibition of creativity, self-discovery and identity, while navigating the journey of Young Onset Dementia.
Linda Gordon (Feature artist)
Linda grew up in York, England and lived above the family’s art shop which may have been the birth of her creative and artistic talents. Upon immigrating to Australia, Linda threw her creativity into fashion and costume design. After 20 years of experience working in the Perth fashion industry and mid-way through her Diploma of Live Production and Technical Services (Costume), Linda was diagnosed with young onset dementia. Although her ability to design and create fashion faded, her creativity did not. She returned to painting and other forms of visual arts as it provided a valuable resource to express her emotions that she was otherwise struggling to release.
With the support of her family, Linda presents this exhibition to raise awareness of young onset dementia and to illustrate that it is still possible to live a full life after a diagnosis of dementia.
Keith Bleach (Supporting artist)
Keith [Artist/Turner] has always had a passion for anything made with wood. As a youngster at school, he learned many basic woodworking techniques which he was then able to use in adulthood with building and repairs around the home in his free time.
In his early fifties he took up woodturning but didn’t have the time to perfect his skills while also running his own very successful business. Retirement came early when symptoms of dementia at 62 began to severely impact his work. He enjoys his time working in his well-equipped home workshop, producing an abundance of varied wooden articles.
While some of his skills are not what they used to be as the symptoms of dementia take hold, he frequently becomes frustrated as things don’t turn out as well as he would wish. However with the help and support from a small group of dedicated friends and family, he continues to turn out some pretty amazing pieces.
He is a popular demonstrator at his local woodturning club, and is passionate sharing his skills with anyone who asks.
Supported by YODyssey, Young Dementia Network WA and Mind The Change Inc
Pictured: (Detail of) ‘Untitled’ by Linda Gordon
