My mother-in-law, Gwendolyn Clark (nee Dennis) was born on the 3^rdJanuary 1930. Growing up on a farm in Jamaica with her 6 siblings, she was a bright student and had a spirit of caring and helping others.

Gwen started training to be a nurse in Kingston Jamaica but became part of the Windrush generation having applied to Hull Royal Infirmary in Yorkshire to continue her education and relocated to England in 1956 as a single woman. After achieving her State Registered Nurse qualification, she went on to gain posts as head nurse and matron specialising in accident and emergency and intensive care.

As a black woman she experienced discrimination and racism that was common for that time and had to work harder than her white colleagues to get ahead. Despite this, she pressed on to give her best and to maintain a positive attitude. She worked hard to ensure her 3 children had good educations, allowing them excel in their careers. During her retirement Gwen played an active part in helping to look after her grandchildren becoming an integral part of their lives.

In her late 70’s subtle signs that her once sharp mind had started to soften began to emerge. By the time she was 80 it was clear Gwen had developed Alzheimer’s and continued to decline over a 10 year period, losing her independence, thoughts, memories and eventually her life to the disease. As an artist I wanted to create lasting memory of my mother-in-law for our family and embarked on creating a portrait in 2019.

Artists Statement
Ian’s portrait of Gwen (his mother-in-law) is an intimate study on the effects of dementia on a once strong, sharp woman, where softening memories had started to disintegrate, often hidden in layers within layers, where time is becoming increasingly meaningless and fragmented.

Faded, fragmented memories and mixed up ragged timelines are typical of someone with dementia.

“Did I Want To Be Here?” were the last coherent words that Gwen uttered to Ian as he helped her from the car to his house. “Where am I ?” asked Gwen. “You’re at Gail and Ian’s for lunch Gwen” he replied. "Did I want to be here” asked Gwen.

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