Witness by Brenda Joy Lem. video still.
Intensive Care: Personal Support Artists
August 4 – 31, 2023
Presented by ELEPHANT IN THE ROOM
Featuring: Brenda Joy Lem, Charmaine Lurch, docuvixen, Gareth Bate, Louise Liliefeldt, and Karen Miranda Augustine
What does caregiving look like?
From hospital stays to home life, intergenerational connections to PSW work, six one-minute videos reflect on the lived experiences of artists who care and the loved ones they look after. Running continuously on loop, these silent shorts will be on view 24/7. Passersby are encouraged to share their own personal reflections on cards installed by the gallery window.
About the collective:
ELEPHANT IN THE ROOM is a collective of Toronto artists who are / were caregivers to family members, partners, and the community at large. They create experiential, collaborative works to bring visibility to the labour of caregiving. Founded in 2022, the collective is comprised of visual, media, and performance artists: Brenda Joy Lem, Charmaine Lurch, docuvixen, Gareth Bate, Louise Liliefeldt, and Karen Miranda Augustine.
The collective would like to thank Whippersnapper Gallery, 1RG, Hospice Toronto, and the Mayworks Festival for their enthusiastic support for this project.
Small and Big Things by Gareth Bate: A day in the life of a caregiver, told through my engagement with household objects to show the banality of repetitive daily chores and the beautiful moments.
