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Artist displays work from before and after his diagnosis with Alzheimer's

Artist Keith Barrell
Artist Keith Barrell

It’s not immediately obvious from viewing the selection of colourful artwork on display at County Hall, that at some point during the years he created them, artist Keith Barrell’s life changed irrevocably.

His diagnosis with Alzheimer’s in 2010 has led to many changes in his life, but the subtle changes within his work are there for those who look closely.
Keith, 73, a former specialist art and design lecturer and inspector for Ofsted’s forerunner, who rose to be chief examiner in his field and had been a lecturer in art and design, now creates more simple works.
A sculptor originally, his work had naturally evolved into heavily textured paintings on canvas, many of which are displayed around his Snodland home, as he and civil partner Andy Houstoun cannot bear to part with them.
But in the last three years that style has changed markedly, making way for simpler works, with very little texture and bolder, brighter colours.
He is also now prolific, working furiously in his upstairs studio at the home he shares with Andy in Holborough, Snodland, up to three hours a day.
But sadly, that creative flow isn’t a good sign. Andy said: “He will work on one or two works a day and can be in the studio for two or three hours at a time. He used to read, but he can’t sit and read a book now; he used to watch films but can’t sit through one, but painting is an outlet.
“It feels like Alzheimer’s is harder for him because language was his tool and he used it every day.
“Communication was the key; he would explain to teachers how to come to their marks.
“I have learnt everything about art from him.
“We used to go to galleries and he used to explain why I should like this piece of work or that one.
“He used to try to educate me,” he laughs, but, unsmiling, adds: “But he can’t do that now.”
It’s one reason the couple are raffling one of Keith’s pieces – Pomegranate – in aid of the Alzheimer’s Society - entitled Pomegranate - at the exhibition, with funds going towards the charity’s research projects and care for sufferers.
The exhibition, which runs until Thursday, June 27, is the biggest Keith has held to date and has a total of 60 works both from before and after his diagnosis.
The display includes a bronzed male torso, while much of his earlier canvases were textured with stones and pebbles.
Impeccably turned out; cheerful and with his sense of humour obviously intact, Keith however struggles to keep track of conversation and fumbles for words.
Asked to describe one of his works featuring a stormy sea, he beams that it uses his favourite colours, but expresses himself mostly with his hands, saying how it “came on”.
Keith’s exhibition is open at County Hall, Maidstone, 9am-5pm, Monday to Friday.

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