The work of a Fermanagh man living with dementia is being exhibited as part of the ‘Real Lives: The Art Of Living With Dementia’ exhibit.

The exhibition, which aims to challenge widespread stigma about the condition, will run at the Waterside Theatre, Londonderry until April 22 and is hosted by Dementia NI, the leading local charity for people in the early to middle stages of dementia.

Open Monday to Friday from 10am to 4pm, Real Lives: The Art Of Living With Dementia showcases thought-provoking photography, striking patchwork quilts and moving poetry.

The exhibition features 45 pieces created by Dementia NI members, all of whom live with a diagnosis of dementia. The free exhibition also features photographs taken by Dementia NI members, including Davie McElhinney from Enniskillen, with support from Arts Care.

Through poignant photographs, Davie tells his story of the emotions he experienced after diagnosis and the journey he went on from shock and despair to acceptance and hope.

“After a diagnosis of dementia, it is still possible to learn new skills, experience new things, and achieve something worthwhile,” says Davie.

“It is my hope that stigma continues to be challenged and we can have an open dialogue around how to challenge assumptions about dementia when they appear.

“The biggest misconception about dementia is that ‘Only Granny and Grandad sitting in the corner can get it’.

!People think it’s an elderly person’s illness – but that’s not the case. We [Dementia NI members] are early onset and are living well with medication. It’s trying to break that misconception; most people only know the media image.”

Dementia NI’s exhibition sets out to challenge these misconceptions, transforming how people view the condition and starting conversations through the medium of art.

It shares a message of hope that many people with dementia are still able to enjoy life in the same way as before their diagnosis and live well with dementia.

The patchwork quilts on display were created during an online project hosted by Dementia NI and the Arts Council of Northern Ireland, to help local people with dementia stay active during lockdown.

Working with Arts Council art tutors, Dementia NI members were encouraged to make their own heirloom quilts which tell the story of their lives.

It is hoped the exhibition will tour Northern Ireland in the future.