Chandler Museum is stepping into the memory loss discourse with the exhibition "Portraits of Dementia," on view from September 3 to October 6, which aims to shift the narrative about dementia. The display features the works of artist Joe Wallace, who has dedicated years to depicting the multifaceted experiences of dementia through the lens of portrait photography and storytelling. A pressing issue, with over 50 million people worldwide living with dementia and one in three seniors in the US affected by this condition at their time of death, Chandler Museum's exhibition invites a deeper, more nuanced conversation around the subject.
In an age when the stigma around dementia persists, Wallace's personal connection to the disease, having seen it touch his maternal grandparents and, more recently, his mother, drove him to challenge the singular, often negative story told about dementia. According to an article by the Chandler Museum, his collection portrays not just "the fear, loss, and despair" commonly associated with dementia, but also the "love, connection, dignity and powerful humanity that always remain." This duality brings forward the human aspects often overshadowed by the disease's cruel effects.
Carrie Salter-Richardson, who has been diagnosed with dementia, shared her hopes in the Chandler Museum's article that her story "will start a conversation and end the stigma that comes along with this disease." Wallace's visual narratives underscore this sentiment by focusing on the individual's life and identity beyond their diagnosis. This exhibit, as Beth Soltzberg, director of Alzheimer's/Related Disorders Family Support Program at the Jewish Family and Children’s Service, emphasized, reminds visitors of "our shared humanity as well as the uniqueness of each person."
The free admission exhibit is part of a broader initiative organized by ExhibitsUSA, a program of Mid-America Arts Alliance that tours exhibitions to various communities, enriching cultural life and promoting arts and humanities. The Chandler Museum, an institution focused on connecting the community to its cultural heritage, is the home for these stories for the month. "Portraits of Dementia" is not just about raising awareness; it’s about challenging our perceptions and learning to see the people behind the portraits—people who are more than their disease.
For those interested in visiting, the Chandler Museum is located at 300 S. Chandler Village Drive, open from Tuesday through Saturday from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. and on Sunday from 1-5 p.m. They are closed on Mondays. Additional details about the programming and upcoming exhibitions can be found by calling the museum at 480-782-2717 or by visiting the Chandler Museum website.
