Two large scale, hand-drawn animations of unpaid carers projected onto buildings in Devon and south London to celebrate the millions who work around the clock caring for family and friends at home. Research shows their role has been made even harder by the closure of support services during the COVID crisis.

Spotlight on Care is an emotive contemporary art project inspired by a collaboration between Exeter-based illustrator-animator Leo Jamelli and University of Exeter academics, Dr Siobhan O’Dwyer and Dr Catriona McKenzie.

The two-storey-high animations, projected onto the Exeter Phoenix and Peckham Library after dark, aim to give recognition to the growing army of unpaid carers whose work saves the government £132 billion a year. The imposing installations will quite literally shine a light on those who provide ongoing care for family members and friends with long-term illnesses and disabilities.

Leo says, “I want my animations to portray the positive aspects of caring for people, as well as the challenges. The artwork for the Exeter animation is based on Julia, a mother from the South West, who cares for her profoundly disabled 12-year-old son Harrison. It captures a small moment in their day when she is cradling Harrison and smiling at him before she puts him to bed. It’s important to all of us involved in this project that we celebrate the role of carers, as well as shining a light on their growing needs.” 

Read More  (PDF)