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 the animations to capture the diversity of carers across the UK. The London animation is inspired by Pauline who grew up in Peckham after her family came from Jamaica in the 1970s. Three of her siblings experienced mental illness and she’s cared for them throughout her adult life. Unfortunately, two recently passed away. Pauline’s story is a powerful reminder that many carers are caring for more than one family member. The artwork will show Pauline supporting one person, but the face will change to reflect the different people she’s cared for.”

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