“Lumex Nightmare” 1992 (oil) 36″ x 48″
This is a painting of a patient I saw on the ward one morning. He was wearing a protective vest that restrained him to a Lumex chair, which is designed for hospital patients. As he struggled against the restraints, his temples were popping out and his nostrils flared, teeth clenched and muscles flexed right down to his toes, which were actually curled. This patient was in the late stages of Alzheimer’s disease and the restraints were for his own safety. There’s not enough staff to give individual care at times, so the vest and chair are used to keep the patient from hurting himself.