A book about Colourful Whispers, an exhibition of paintings by elders living with dementia. It tells the story of how the project began with a single art day, grew into multiple exhibitions, and explores the role of art in expression when words become difficult.
This is a book about Colourful Whispers, an exhibition of paintings created by elders living with dementia. It is for anyone interested in dementia care, art therapy, or the stories behind community art projects.
The book begins with the origin of the project: a single art day where around 20 elders picked up brushes and painted freely. The team saw them choose colours and express themselves, which led to the idea of an exhibition.
It explains the thinking behind the name Colourful Whispers. Colour was central to the paintings, and whispers represented subtle expressions that ask for attention. The first exhibition drew families, students, and people who knew dementia personally.
The second edition grew larger, with more units joining and more elders participating. A 90-year-old and a 99-year-old were among the artists. The exhibition was held at Karnataka Chitrakala Parishath.
The book describes the people behind the paintings: elders, caregivers, clinicians, families, and the organising team. It also outlines how the project evolved through three editions, from a small beginning to a wider conversation about dementia and care.