Exeter artist reveals how stroke survivors can turn their disability into creativity
A 38-year-old mum from Exeter is one of 50 stroke survivors living in the South West who will be showing her work in a new exhibition which opens tomorrow (10 April 2013) at Bath Central Library.
The exhibition will feature more than 100 pieces of art created and demonstrates how it is possible to overcome disabilities caused by stroke and create stunning pieces or art or craft.
Over 120,000 people are living with the effects of stroke in the South West.
A stroke is an attack on the brain which can take away people’s ability to speak, walk or understand which can be very isolating. This exhibition is part of a campaign by stroke survivors to illustrate what they can achieve with the right support.
Jess Thacker, 38, from Exeter had a stroke in March 2011. She has constant pain in her hands, arms, legs, chronic fatigue and problems with balance when she is in a noisy or busy environment. Jess is reliant on other people and can’t take her thirteen and four year old daughters out. Prior to her stroke, Jess used to make films, painted and sculpted when she wasn’t at work as a teacher or looking after her family.
Jess explained: “You can’t see inside the woman in the painting’s head but that is part of the experience of having a stroke – it’s lonely and scary and people can’t see from the outside what is happening. I also wanted to explore the idea of balance in the body and how precarious it is. After I had the haemorrhage, it seemed as if all the pre-existing weaknesses in my body flared up and became enmeshed together.
“The balance in my family’s life also collapsed; I had to retire, my husband and mother had to look after me, my two daughters were scared and frustrated with me and we felt like we were being unpicked financially, socially and emotionally. The art helps to exorcise it from my system and enables me to start to move on. I have also done a painting which is less challenging than this one.”
Jess donated this piece to the exhibition to give her an incentive to get on and paint and overcome pain, and to be part of something that broadens her world and get in touch with other people.
She continued: “It means a huge amount to be part of this exhibition – it’s one of my main outlets for expression; a concrete record that I have done something of value in a life that is now pretty much limited to the inside of my house. Art is one of the ways forward I can see for my future.”
Sarah Miller from the Stroke Association said: “We see the overwhelming courage and determination of many stroke survivors show in coping with the loss of many things we take for granted such as being able to say what we are feeling or walk on our own. This exhibition gives us all the chance to demonstrate the powerful ways art enables people to express themselves.”
The exhibition, called Stroke of Genius, is free to attend but people are encouraged to make a donation, buy a raffle ticket and purchase a special souvenir catalogue of the exhibition which features the art and craft pieces on display.
The gallery is open from 110am-4pm Monday to Friday and from 10am-2pm on Saturday. The exhibition will continue until 2pm on Friday 19 April 2013.
