Wiltshire artist launches charity portrait gallery for elderly suffering with isolation
Months of work have finally come to fruition for Heloise O'Keeffe
Last updated 5th May 2021
An independent artist from our region has launched an online portrait gallery, raising awareness of loneliness faced by the elderly during the Coronavirus crisis.
In recent months, Wiltshire's Heloise O'Keeffe has been sketching 21 people, as part of a voluntary lockdown project.
'21 Portraits' was the brainchild of conversations between the 28 year-old and her two grandmothers, uncovering the full extent of their struggles with isolation over the past year.
The Codford resident subsequently opened the floor to applications for anyone aged over 70 to receive a free portrait, made by her own fair hands.
According to the former Amsterdam art student, she was "inundated with requests".
The subjects of the sketches included a retired NHS nurse who worked at the Aberfan disaster, a RAF veteran and a support worker for adults with learning difficulties.
On Wednesday 5 May, Heloise's toil finally came to fruition, as she showcased the pieces online for the first time.
'A couple of individuals involved had sadly passed-away'
Speaking exclusively to Greatest Hits Radio, the artist admitted that handing-out her work to the recipients provided mixed emotions.
"Everyone's been really lovely and it's also been really nice to get to know this group of people over the past few months," she said.
"There's also been some sad moments, where a couple of individuals involved had sadly passed-away (after signing-up for '21 Portraits').
"So they were never actually able to see the portraits, but now their family and friends have them. So that's been really touching, to get that sort of feedback. But obviously incredibly sad for those families".
Whilst the online gallery can be viewed free-of-charge, any proceeds from donations are going to The Silver Line.
Founded in 2012, the charity runs a free, confidential helpline - dedicated to older people.
The 24:7 service offers advice, friendship and information to those suffering with loneliness and other mental health challenges.
Heloise has told us The Silver Line is an apt partner for '21 Portraits': "I spent a long time looking for the right charity. I wanted it to help the elderly in some way and this one really stood-out for me.
"Over lockdown, they must have been literally a lifesaver for some people".
The exhibition and online gallery for '21 Portraits' can be accessed here.