‘Memories we treasure’: Evaluating the impact on co-designers and audiences of a photographic exhibition by participants with memory problems

Abstract

Visual research, including photovoice methods are increasingly used to elicit the experiences of people living with memory loss, though few such studies have investigated the impact of produced images on audiences. Drawing on Freire’s empowerment pedagogy, we aimed to explore how a photography exhibition, created by individuals with memory concerns participating in the APPLE-Tree (Active Prevention in People at risk of dementia through Lifestyle, bEhaviour change and Technology to build REsiliEnce) dementia prevention programme contributed to an understanding on life with memory loss, and whether it reduced any stigma, among its co-producers and audience. Approximately 200 people attended the exhibition launch, of whom 97 completed a survey. We interviewed two co-producers with lived experience of memory problems and seven academic co-producers. In our thematic analysis of survey responses and interview transcripts, we developed three themes: (1) Increasing understanding by giving voice to participants: seeing unique individuals behind the work; (2) The power of visual methods to communicate research findings: interviewees described how the quality of the works and exhibition created an atmosphere that honoured participants as artists, valuing and respecting their messages; (3) Evoking emotions: fear and hope: The audience described the exhibition’s power to evoke strong emotions of fear at the risk of losing “treasured memories” and hope of living successfully with memory loss. Some attendees and study team members felt motivated to try to reduce their future dementia risk. We consider the value of public engagement using arts-based co-production, and the impact of the exhibition in this field. We explore how our findings reflect notions of empowerment in two juxtaposing ways: empowerment to express how living with memory loss feels as a means of activism to reduce associated stigma, and empowerment to change future dementia risk through lifestyle changes.