Sunset – Harrison Saragossi

Sunset

This essay is an exploration of the lives of residents at “Sunset”, Wesley Mission’s Dementia facility.
Dementia robs people of their sense of time, place and self. They may have lost their memories but they still retain some essence of themselves.

Caring for people with dementia is demanding and distressing, so many families send their loved ones to a specialist facility. It is sad that aged care facilities are now accepting fewer dementia patients because of the level of care they need. This means that people suffering with dementia are more alone than ever. It is this sense of loneliness that surfaces in my essay.

During the time that these photographs were taken two of the residents passed away. Wesley Missions facilities are highly sought after and there is always a list of people waiting to take their place.

Harrison Saragossi

In 2006 Harrison Saragossi graduated with a Bachelor of Fine Art and Griffith award for academic excellence, majoring in both print media and photography, from Griffith University, Queensland College of Art. Originally he majored in print media, however in his second year he took a photography elective and quickly fell in love with the medium.

In 2008 he was a part of over 20 exhibitions nationally and internationally and was a Finalist in Competitions such as GAS + Garage Award, the Alumni Network Art Prize, The Mosman Festival Photography Competition, The Olive Cotton Award for Photographic Portraiture and the Wallace Bishop National Photographic Competition. Recently he was announced as an exhibitor in the PMA 2009, Las Vegas.