In a new exhibition “The Human Condition: Identity Theft, Role Reversal, Fear of Fate” at the Greenwich Art Society from July 6 – 31, award winning artist Donald Axleroad takes on the challenge of calling attention to some of society’s most relevant issues today. Issues concerned with the human condition - the fears and anxieties of the aging, the devastation of Alzheimer’s disease, and the dilemma of “Role Reversal” – when parents become like children to their own children. The opening reception is Friday, July 10, 6 to 8 p.m and a special community outreach presentation called “Changing Roles” will be held on July 29 at 7 p.m. at the Greenwich Art Society. The three speakers are Dr. Stephen Jones, Director of Greenwich Hospital’s Center for Healthy Aging, Rev. Dr. Heather Parkinson-Webb, Chaplain and Director of Spiritual Care for Greenwich Chaplaincy Services, and Mr. Axleroad who will discuss his work in the exhibition.
The July 29 event will kick off with a reception at 7 p.m. with refreshments and music while visitors may view Don’s exhibition. The talks will begin at 7:30 pm, lasting for 30 to 40 minutes followed by a Q & A session. This is the second occasion where Axleroad has helped organize a special presentation on the problems of aging in conjunction with an exhibition of his work, this time in partnership with the Greenwich Arts Council, the Greenwich Art Society and the Greenwich Chaplaincy Services. Following the success of a 2008 program at the Carriage Barn gallery in New Canaan focusing on the challenges of Alzheimers led by Dr. Stephen Jones, he has again invited Dr. Jones to speak as well as Dr. Parkinson-Webb. Their topics will explore Identity Verses Personality (how aging affects self-perception and awareness), Challenges That Come With New Roles (how aging impacts all members of a family) and Support and Strategies to Adapt to a New role as Caregiver (via spirituality, health, creative outlets, social engagements),
The exhibition represents a new direction for the prolific Axleroad who has become well known for his woodcuts and paintings inspired by Greek mythology.
Recently he has spent several months creating a new body of work portraying “what it’s like to be human”, especially for those who are experiencing the problems associated with aging. As he says, “There’s the issue of Identity Theft – People suffering from Alzheimers and other dementias are no longer sure who they are, sometimes because they are treated like a child by others. Then there is the role reversal…when the child becomes like a parent in coping with and caring for his own aging parents. Also there are the fears of financial instability
due to the high cost of paying for health care.
“I want to say something to my viewers – something that’s at times difficult to express,” says Axleroad. “I’ve had people tell me they cried when they saw one of my images.”
The public is invited to the July 29 event. The Greenwich Art Society is located on the second floor at 299 Greenwich Avenue. The gallery is open Monday through Friday: 10 am to 5 p.m.; Saturday: 12 - 5 p.m. and Sunday: 12 – 4 p.m. For further information, contact the Greenwich Art Society at 203-629-1533 or www.greenwichartsociety.org or www.Donaxleroad.com
