Olympian Neil Eckersley on how new art helped him with dad's dementia

The Lancaster-based artist said he started work before the death of his father James

An Olympian-turned-artist whose latest work was a "way of coming to terms" with his father's dementia" has said producing it has been "therapeutic".

Neil Eckersley, who won a judo bronze at the 1984 games, began painting after the death of his brother and has since become a professional artist.

He said his new exhibition, I Know You're In There, helped him deal with his father's recent illness and death.

He added that he hoped it would "spark a conversation about dementia".

The Lancaster-based artist said he started work before the death of his father James at the age of 85 a few weeks ago.

As a result, the Salford-born 59-year-old produced It's Not A Laughing Matter, a triptych featuring red lips which represented his father's "infectious laugh"; Three Faces of Dementia, a caricature showing how his father's emotions could change in seconds; and Memories Are Golden, a skull sculpture in a glass case, which he said shows "how important it is to protect our memories".

Eckersley said Memories of Gold showed "how important it is to protect our memories"

He said the works were "my way of coming to terms with my dad's dementia", adding: "It is a dark subject, but it's powerful.

"It was therapeutic and a good way to get my feelings out.

"I'm very proud of it and feel closure now it is out there."

He said his father "welled up with pride" when he showed him the work shortly before he died.

The exhibition is being held at the Defying Dementia charity shop in his home city.

Eckersley said he wanted the works to "spark a conversation about dementia"

He said he chose it as the venue after going into the shop on Church Street on a "bad day".

He said he had been to see his father and the volunteers, who had experience of the condition, offered him support.

As a result, he said the exhibition was not in honour of his father, but was instead aimed at sparking "a conversation about dementia and its effects on not only those who suffer, but also the wider community".

He said he also wanted to encourage people to talk about it.

"Early diagnosis is so important as there is so much support out there," he said.

He said the work was "not for sale" as it was "too important" to him, but he would like a dementia charity to benefit from it.

His exhibition is at the shop until 28 October.

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