Geriatric/Physical illness patient 12 "Mrs Bird"

44 artworks identified by Rita Simon's pseudonym "Mrs Bird". Some of the information about the artworks is taken from notes written by Wellcome staff during conversations with Rita Simon between 1995 and 1997. Rita Simon's case notes are in PP/RSI/A/3/6.

Rita Simon noted that the numeration on the verso of the artworks is not the correct chronological order in which they were made. Occasionally there is a second number on the recto of the artwork that differs from that on the verso; this may relate to the chronological order of the artworks so these are listed in the corresponding item records. Note also that there is no number 35; this is due to a mistake in numbering when the works were transferred which meant that 35 was missed out of the sequence.

The series of works begin with a piece of paper showing fold marks, then show more defined mark making and areas of colour until the final few, which are landscapes. They provide a fascinating insight into the mind of an elderly person with advanced dementia.

1977-1979

44 artworks

Rita Simon used the pseudonym "Mrs Bird" for her Geriatric / Physical Illness patient no 12. She described Mrs Bird as a 92-year-old woman who had been hospitalised for five years with senile dementia. She was confused and withdrawn and when she first entered the art room, she had no idea what she was supposed to do - she attempted to smoke the chalk and when given paper just folded it up. Rita Simon felt that the artworks showed a remarkable progression from this point to the end of treatment and she used them in her lectures at Goldsmiths' College.

This information is taken from Rita Simon's book The Symbolism of Style, pages 129-130. And from notes taken during conversations with Wellcome staff between 1995 and 1997.