“Its opened my eyes to meself. I’ve not been to a group in years. I’ve really enjoyed coming, been made to feel welcome. I’ve not drawn in 30 odd years, I’m thinking about doing college now. I missed out a lot of education. This has been great, I’ve forgotten how much I enjoy it…” Christine.
“When I saw the quilt, (hung in the exhibition) I felt very, very emotional, so proud of what everyone had put into it. Their heart and soul. To see it being built up bit by bit every week, then to see it in the exhibition, with people from Lithuania coming up and taking photos and…
With art I have a voice, now I can make things. Doing the art, giving me a chance to speak, you make me feel important. Going to the Houses of Parliament and speaking I felt very good. It’s what I’ve got now, it’s all I own. Jack Quashie
“Normally we just go about our everyday life, which is humdrum. Coming here, it makes you think. We would normally just sit… Normally we’re just sat on that chair. It lifts you to think, otherwise you’re just a zombie. You’ve got to use your brain, if you don’t use your brain you lose it. Got…
“I find it very helpful, its stretches my imagination, there’s always something interesting to do, or think about. A chance to meet people and extend your mind. I get a lot of satisfaction when I’ve done what you set out for us. It enriches your life. It’s opened my eyes, I didn’t think there was…
“Everything has been a challenge, its something I have never thought about, never done before, which I’m very grateful for, challenge is good for the brain. Gives us something else to think about which we would have never done prior you came in. It must improve your health and well-being, something else to do, away…
“It’s been really interesting to see what you’ve been doing. It’s so clear that everyone has a wonderful time, it’s absolutely clear that you’ve made it about everyone here. Bringing people back into the group that are usually quiet, everyones involved. As dementia effects the short term memory, its a good subject to talk about, it…
“These are beautiful. Tactile poems, they’re rich on so many levels.” Darren Henley, Chief Executive of Arts Council England
‘Making art, helps an erratic mind, it stimulates, you’ve found the secrete to help homeless people.’ Dave.
Being on the streets, I’ve walked around not slept. This lesson means a lot, its helped me open up more, I’m a quiet person.’ Saf
When I’m stressed out, embroidery is therapeutic for me, it calms me down and that, it takes all my stress levels away from me- I’m not harming myself, not hurting myself, when I’m doing it I’m just keeping my calm. Peggy
These works are beautiful. arthur+martha have entered a parallel world listening, recording and responding – not as some act of goodwill, but shining a light in those darker places, enabling a more nuanced understanding of people’s lived experiences. Clive Parkinson, Arts for Health
Good luck with this wonderful project, which must be bringing so much comfort and hope for a more optimistic and less divisive future. M
Thank you all, from the bottom of my heart. An amazing project, a piece of history for all for the present and the future. A quilt of unending love, pain and grief. A quilt of great honour, a true work of art. Theresa Davidson
arthur+martha 