Threads of Caring
About the Project
Threads of Caring is built around portraits of five individuals from the greater Phoenix community who care for loved ones with dementia and have chosen to share their stories. These portraits form the foundation of the work, grounding it in lived experience and personal narrative.
At the center of the piece is a mirror, intended to prompt viewers to see themselves within the context of caregiving. Many people do not identify as caregivers, even when they are actively providing care. The mirror encourages reflection on how caregiving roles emerge and how the people and support systems surrounding us shift over time.
Smaller circles and threads of varying size and color are distributed throughout the work to represent social networks and the diversity of relationships that shape caregiving experiences. Purple serves as the dominant color, selected by Drs. Peckham and Guest for its connection to their research and its association with the Alzheimer’s Association.
Artpiece dimensions
44″ x 48″
Artpiece price
$2,000
Behind the work
The project developed through collaboration between portrait-based artistic practice and research focused on dementia caregiving and social support. Interviews and shared stories informed the composition, while material choices emphasized connection, layering, and visibility. The process centered on translating research themes into visual form, allowing individual narratives and broader patterns of care to coexist within a single work.
