RED WALL

Red Wall.

Temporary outdoor installation.

Lockwood Day Centre. Surrey.

Arts Council Funded, 2005.

Outline

A 25 ft wall of red Sufina flowering plants situated in the courtyard of the dementia and Alzheimer’s unit.  This installation had its own integral irrigation system to allow the piece to develop and grow over several months, creating a vibrant environment for the patients.  I worked in partnership with a group of inmates from Send women’s prison to grow the Sufina’s from seed in their greenhouses.

Concept

When I was approached to make a piece of work for the exhibition, I started to research into Alzheimer’s, and came across studies noting the perception of colour amongst sufferers, and how it can be used to enhance the lives of people living with dementia and Alzheimer’s.

The late German artist Carolus Horn was a successful painter and designer through much of the 20 century. Around 1981 Horn began to suffer from Alzheimer’s. His art  began to reflect the gradual development of the disease, and visually tracked its impact on his mental state.  As the disease worsened, his use of colour became bolder and his forms became simple and repetitive. By the time Horn died in 1992 his palette had been reduced to a single colour – red.

The study of the progression of Horn’s work has given a useful insight into the developmental stages of Alzheimer’s and has aided the medical world in the understanding and treatment of the disease.

The installation ‘Red Wall” is a celebration of his work.