Eureka Reporter

Published: Feb 21 2008, 1:08 AM

North Coast Assemblywoman Patty Berg this week welcomed to the state Capitol a collection of painted portraits as part of an international effort to raise awareness of Alzheimer’s disease.

“The astonishing and sometimes disturbing self-portraits by ex-patriot American artist William Utermohlen chronicle through the artist’s eyes his own well-documented struggle with Alzheimer’s,” a Berg news release stated.

“This is a rare opportunity to see the world through the eyes of someone living with Alzheimer’s,” said Berg, D-Eureka. “Mr. Utermohlen used his final years to leave an astonishing legacy.”

Berg co-hosted a reception for the collection with the Aging Services of California and the Alzheimer’s Association of Northern California and Northern Nevada.

The art has previously been on exhibit in Paris, London, New York, Boston and Los Angeles.

Utermohlen, an American artist who lived in London, created a series of self-portraits chronicling his descent into dementia and Alzheimer’s disease.

“It is impossible to look at this exhibit and not feel the isolation and loneliness of Alzheimer’s,” stated Jackie McGrath, executive director of the Alzheimer’s Association, California Council. “The exhibit displays the indomitable spirit of the artist who used art to communicate when his speaking voice failed.”

“It is our hope that the Utermohlen exhibition will direct the attention of policymakers and the public to the plight of Alzheimer’s sufferers and their caregivers,” said Anne Burns Johnson, president and CEO of Aging Services of California.

California has an estimated 500,000 people living with this disease, and by 2050 this number is expected to increase to 1.5 million, according to Berg’s office.

Alzheimer’s disease affects one in 10 individuals over age 65 and nearly half of those are over age 85, her office stated, adding that it’s believed about 5 percent of those diagnosed with Alzheimer’s are under age 65, many in their 40s and 50s.