Artist, 94, thrilled by House of Commons exhibition

Eric Fawley, a 94‑year‑old resident of Greenbanks Care Home in Watford, Hertfordshire, will have his drawings and paintings displayed in the Upper Waiting Hall of the House of Commons this October, making him “very happy” according to the dementia‑affected artist. The exhibition was arranged after Watford Labour MP Matt Turmaine saw Fawley’s work at the care home and facilitated its placement in Parliament. Fawley’s portfolio, created over more than a year since he moved to Greenbanks following a fire at his home, includes depictions of everyday scenes and caricatures of his former BT colleagues, reflecting a lifelong habit of sketching that began in childhood under the encouragement of his musically inclined mother and painter father.

The showcase highlights the broader significance of creativity in later life and dementia care, offering a “warm and thoughtful look at creativity in later life” as described by Nirmala Singhvi, the home’s lifestyle coordinator. Fawley’s artistic journey began early, though his family could not support his ambition to attend art school; he left school at 14, worked on the Blackpool illuminations, and later became a Post Office engineer for BT, eventually managing an office where his portraits of coworkers were prominently displayed. His habit of starting drawings with a subject’s hair and his enjoyment of “sending up colleagues” underscore a playful, observant style that has persisted into his senior years, helping him focus his mind and keep each day “different.”

Staff at Greenbanks expressed pride and excitement over the national exposure, noting that Fawley’s exhibition challenges common perceptions of what residents in care can achieve. His artistic activity has already earned him regional recognition, including exhibitions across Essex and a ceremonial ribbon‑cutting at Harlow Library. The upcoming parliamentary display not only celebrates his personal resilience after the loss of his home but also serves as a testament to the enduring imagination and individuality of older adults living with dementia, potentially inspiring similar initiatives within care settings nationwide.

⚡ Effects Interpreter