In 2024, Arts for Health visual artist Sarah Ruttle continued her research into working creatively with older adults with visual impairment.
The first iteration of Sarah’s research and development work began in 2023 with her project Beyond the Darkness. Beyond the Darkness focused on engaging the other senses; incorporating touch, smell, and sound. After a year of research, conversation, experimentation, and collaboration with participants in Schull Community Hospital and Bantry General Hospital, St. Joseph’s Unit, Sarah presented her findings to the Arts for Health team.
Last year, Sarah aimed to further explore the use of touch and sound in working with participants with visual impairment. Following research into e-textiles and smart textiles, Sarah began to create interactive sensory textile resources. These were a musical house apron, a jewellery box, and a folding blanket. Sarah also worked collaboratively with Arts for Health musician Kate Liddell to include a sound element into each piece.
To read in detail about each project, please visit their project pages: Beyond the Darkness and Blossoming Beyond the Darkness.
This research has formed the basis of Sarah’s additional projects in Schull Community Hospital and Bantry General Hospital, St. Joseph’s Unit. One of these, A Little Piece of Magic, saw participants working collaboratively to create textile wall hangings. At other times, hospital residents have worked with delicate porcelain, wool, and cord, sharing knot making skills.
Sarah’s research continues in 2025. We look forward to seeing how her work develops!