William Utermohlen was diagnosed with Alzheimer’s disease in 1995 yet he continued drawing. His last self portraits painted between 1995 and 2001 tell a unique tale of an implacable disease encroaching on to his mind and senses. With perseverance, courage and honesty the artist adapts his style and technique to the growing limitations of his perception and motor skills to produce images that communicate his predicament.This image offered fascinating insights into how dementia can affect visual perception.William Utermohlen was born in Philadelphia in 1933, graduated from the Pennsylvania Academy of Fine Arts in 1957 where he studied under Walter Steumfig and continued his studies at the Ruskin school of art in Oxford from 1957-59. He settled in London in 1962 and married the art historian Patricia Utermohlen in 1965. He died from the consequences of Alzheimer’s disease in March 2007.

ART AND ALZHEIMER

"His works of art are not only beautiful in their own right but serve as a unique clinical documentation of the effect that Alzheimer’s has on the mind: a reflection from the inside out; a rare perspective that cannot be gained from reading a textbook. "

Dementia is the iceberg that will cripple Australia's health care system and this is the year political leaders must take decisive action to combat the epidemic.

DEMENTIA HAS TO BE TREATED AS A PRIORITY

The number of people with DEMENTIA is steadily increasing. There are around 800,000 people with dementia in the UK (2013) and by 2040 the number of people affected is expected to double. As a care worker I think that planning for the future and rising global awareness about this problem is needed now to ensure that the right care and support is available .
it is clear that dementia is a public health problem on a very large scale. Dementia places an enormous burden on public finances because even families who look after their relatives usually require at least some public assistance.
While it’s very common, dementia is not very well understood. People often don’t ask for help because there’s still a stigma attached. They might think - that the symptoms are a normal part of ageing (maybe?) and that nothing can be done.But we still need to be aware that we all are
at high risk of developing dementia (80+ years: 1 in 6).

JUN-LIN HARRIES

SAATCHI

Acrylic paintings, predominantly monochromatic with coloured features. Image alludes to Alzheimers decease and dementia.

CHARLES MOXON 

INFO