'Soul Journey' @ Creative Arts Hub

Visitors to the Hub gallery in Mirfield throughout March and April can see the results of a special project focusing on the condition of dementia. For the next 6 weeks, the SOUL JOURNEY Art Project - a unique collaboration between arts company verd de gris, writer Paula Sutherland and photographer / film-maker Geoff Brokate - will offer people an opportunity to look beyond some of the myths that build up around dementia and get closer to the individual at the heart of this debate.

The main inspiration for the exhibition is Jack, who has spent a lifetime walking the hills of the Upper Calder Valley. Now with dementia, Jack retraces his footsteps and reawakens the poetic and musical memories of his journeying through this extraordinary landscape.

‘There is something beautiful and moving and joyous in working with people with dementia, and this film captures an essence of that beauty.’ - Jeff Turner & Sharon Marsden, verd de gris

Over the last 12 months this collaborative project has involved spending time in verd de gris‘ creative dementia sessions, filming in the beautiful Pennine landscape, and working closely with 4 very special individuals Jack, Margaret, Norma and Kate, all of whom are living with the condition and whose voices can be heard through the project.

The results include an installation, original writing, a series of still photographs and a film that weaves together spoken word, moving images and an original score to capture some of the beauty and dignity of the people taking part - and to celebrate the extraordinary richness of the landscape that means so much to them.

This unique project aims to enable anyone to engage and connect with the themes of dementia, ageing and the ‘individual’, and hopes to to contribute to a shift in how we consider and present aspects of the dementia condition.

As part of this exhibition event at Creative Arts Hub, MIrfield, verd de gris will be screening the film Soul Journey – and the exhibition will include an installation, ‘A Walk to Staups Mill’ and a photographic exhibition ‘Light Remains’.

Dementia Friends is part of social movement to help create more communities that are dementia friendly. Go to dementiafriends.org.uk to find your nearest Dementia Friends information session and get involved; the following sessions are linked to this exhibition -
12.03.2015: ‘Film screening and creative presentation’ 2.30pm to 5pm; ‘Dementia Friends’ info session 5pm to 6pm.

The Hub gallery is open Wednesday to Friday 10am to 5pm, and Saturday 10am to 3pm. Entry is free, for further details contact mark@creativeartshub.org.uk, or ring 01924 492775. We regret that there is no wheelchair access to Creative Arts Hub.

For more information visit http://www.creativeartshub.org.uk/