Artist exhibits life after stroke for #WorldStrokeDay

An artist whose life was profoundly affected by a stroke has captured its impacts in a new exhibition.

Hazel Hammond has been a poet and an artist for over 40 years. She had a stroke in 2018 and now lives with aphasia, a changing condition affecting over 350,000 people in the UK. Aphasia affects people’s ability to speak, write or read.

Not the Same Poet, But Always an Artist explores the effects of aphasia on Hazel’s work as she rediscovers being an artist through drawings, film making and other artforms.

Hazel collaborated with BiggerHouse Film and Liz Clarke to create the exhibition, which charts her recovery, and the role of creativity in her recovery. The film showings and accompanying workshops aim to support people living with the impacts of stroke, their families and the medical staff involved in their care.

Watch one of Hazel’s films

Crosswords from biggerhouse film on Vimeo.

Previously Hazel was involved in Stroke Odysseys, a performing arts intervention for people after stroke in Bristol, launched by Rosetta Life and supported by Bristol Health Partners’ Stroke Health Integration Team (HIT).

Hazel’s drawings and photographs are on display to the public at Arnolfini until 31 October 2021, and to staff, patients and their visitors at Southmead Hospital’s Brunel Building (Gate 36, pink atrium, ground floor) until 18 December.

#WorldStrokeDay events

Friday 29 October 2021 is #WorldStrokeDay. On and around the day itself, Hazel is taking part in the following events:

• Friday 29 October, 1-3pm: In Person Workshop at Arnolfini for people affected by Stroke, their families, carers and allies. Find out more and book
• Saturday 30 – Sunday 31 October, all day: Film Showing in the Dark Studio at Arnolfini. All films will be showing on a loop. Come in and watch the very first screening at your leisure. No booking required.
• Sunday 31 October, 3-4pm: Q&A with Hazel, Liz and Tom, the team behind the exhibition. This Q&A will cover the role of creativity in recovery, our creative process and Hazel’s insights into art, life and poetry post-brain injury. The panel will be chaired by Lerato Dunn, Arts Development Officer, Bristol City Council and community dance practitioner and Board member of Arts & Health South West. Find out more and book

Speaking for Stroke HIT, Emma Richards, Clinical and Operational Lead for Stroke and Neuro at Sirona Care & Health, says:

“I was privileged to be involved
in this project and I am delighted to see it come to fruition in the
exhibition. Hazel’s goal is not only raising awareness of stroke and aphasia by
telling her story in such a powerful way but also championing the role that the
arts can have in recovery.

“The Stroke HIT and team working on stroke
reconfiguration in our area are keen to support innovation like this as well as
encouraging people with lived experience to develop services and, as Hazel has
done, give hope and new ways of exploring their new life living well after
stroke.”

Speaking for Fresh Arts, the arts programme for North Bristol NHS Trust, Donna Baber says:

“We are delighted to exhibit Hazel’s work, which will give hope and inspiration to our patients, clinicians and nursing staff. Hazel’s experience and use of the arts and creativity to support her recovery from stroke is inspiring for future development of our Arts on Referral programme for patients with long term chronic health conditions such as stroke”

Arnolfini Engagement Producer, Keiko Higashi, says:

“Hazel’s work and practice brings to light the personal lived experiences of someone who has experienced Stroke and Aphasia whilst also celebrating how creativity can be such a healing and driving force for recovery. Exploring this relationship between Arts and Health reflects our aim for Arnolfini to become a Centre for Wellbeing, a recognised space which will welcome and support our community to access art programmes which improve and maintain good mental health and wellbeing.”

Get support after stroke

ACTion after Stroke is a four-week programme run by Bristol After Stroke to support people after stroke and help them access aftercare. The next programme starts 1 November 20211 November 2021