Month/Year of Graduation

12-2023

Degree Name

Bachelor of Arts (B.A.)

Department

Art and Art History

First Advisor

Dr. Mark Gilbert

Abstract

The process of aging can be viewed through different lenses within our society. In the past, scientists and medical professionals performed various studies to better understand and analyze different facets of aging, medicine, and health in general. Historically the arts have reflected multiple aspects of medicine and treatments while more recently, the arts have been used in a research capacity to provide different ways to represent illness, suffering, and care. This study used art-based research methods and portraiture to gather qualitative observations on the older populations within our community. Data collected included drawings, a field journal, and interviews. This study sought to specifically gain new perspective into the lives of older adults living at a local nursing home. Data collected may help us gain a better insight into the aging process and aid in understanding more substantial ethical and functional purposes within healthcare settings. This study’s findings were centered around the different perspectives of a healthcare worker, an artist, and a family member and how these tend to conflict and overlap when looking at dementia, aging and specifically how portraiture draws us to these conclusions.

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