Mary Fivey: Impermanence
Encapsulating the reality of family caregiving: Lost Memories heads on UK tour

 

During the exhibition, Gary will be holding a writing workshop in the gallery. In the workshop you will explore useful exercises to de-stress and use creative ways to tell your story and share your experience. You can book your free spot on the workshop here

 

Lost Memories is a multi-screen video installation that draws on screenwriter Gary Thomas’ experience of being a carer to his mother, who had Alzheimer’s Disease. Combining  documentary phone footage with dramatised sequences, Gary’s film installation will be shown in five locations across the UK from June to November. Gary’s touring film will offer a  moving and poignant insight into his lived experience as a caregiver, and incorporate stories submitted by members of the public of their experiences as carers. 

Focusing on the personal insights of being a carer, Lost Memories will share Gary’s experience of looking after his mother. The installation will feature personal diary extracts, real phone footage and dramatised sequences, capturing the heart-breaking but also joyful moments of their  relationship. The display will be spread across a three-screen installation, which audiences will  be able to walk through. 

Gary seeks to convey the texture of lives that revolve around the confusion behind dementia and  the demands of caregiving. His installation aims to provide recognition for the large number of  carers who look after their own relatives, as well as showing moments of clarity and the joy within these. To honour carers across the UK, Gary is inviting people to submit either 500 written  words or a video diary, detailing their experience of being a carer. These honest accounts will be  incorporated into the film installation at a later date, to ensure all voices are heard. Lost  Memories seeks to uncover the lived experience of caregiving, which can often feel hidden and  taboo in today’s tabloids. 

Gary Thomas is a writer and filmmaker based in South East England, and also works in theatre, having produced four stage shows. He has worked across several moving image works including: Madness as a form of relaxation (2005), Coming out (Dada South) (2006), The Dog and the Palace (2012), Sectioned (2016). In 2020 Gary interviewed a diverse range of disabled artists and  other creatives about their practice to enable him to explore his own unique style of working. Gary will also be running workshops in each location for artists and carers to share  their stories.

Writer and Director Gary Thomas comments, I’ve often used my own life as inspiration for  writing and my work in film. Being me, when my mother was diagnosed, and even before, I  began recording and filming moments of our life that we shared together, both the good times  and the difficult emotional times, some in audio, and some as film. I suppose I wanted a record of it, without knowing whether anyone else would see it at all. 

Gary Thomas, in conversation with Rachel Gadsden // Thursday 5 September // 18.00 – 20.00

Rachel is a British artist who is exhibited internationally and who works across the mainstream and disability art sectors, presenting cross-cultural visual dialogues that consider the most profound notions of what it is to be human

Rachel says, Gary’s honest and at times heart wrenching story gives the audience such a powerful insight into the full challenges of being a carer to his Mother.

The Lost Memories film takes you on a journey of what it is to be a carer, but amongst the heart breaking challenges Gary also shares wonderful humorous moments, dancing, and the deep care and love so many carers like Gary give.”

Gary will also be joined by David Parker from Figment Arts who has supported Gary to produce the film, and they will give us an insight into the making and editing of the film.

RSVP by contacting: lostmemoriessubmissions@gmail.com

personal submissions: lostmemories@gmail.com

website: www.garythomas.co.uk

 

Tuesday – Sunday // 10.00 – 17.00