Mona’s Hairbrush
By Karen Webber and James Wilson
In this film we meet Mona, an 80 year old artist living with dementia. We enter Mona’s world, a selective, quiet, non-sequential world of remembering and forgetting. The film is divided into 3 distinct sections-early, middle and late. As the film progresses, so does Mona’s dementia. The film is lyrical, abstract, and focuses on the interior life of one person living with dementia. Mona takes us on a journey from her early life in Puget Sound to the present moment. She asks us to listen to poetry, and melody while watching images unfold. Please pay close attention to the role of metaphor, repetition and ritual.
Created by Karen Webber and James Wilson.
Karen Webber is a micro-credentialed Maryland teaching artist with 25 years designing music/theatre/visual art pieces for eldercare neighborhoods, senior centers and memory care units. She is a cantor, clergy in the Jewish faith and joined the Jewish support team at Gilchrist Hospice in 2022. Karen became a Certified Peer Recovery Specialist in 2021, and has worked as a peer mentor in a study of Older Adults with Depression at Johns Hopkins, and as a peer trainer/educator with Mental Health Association of Maryland specializing in older adults. Karen received a creativity grant from the Maryland State Arts Council in 2022 to design a one hour Zoom program around Mona’s Hairbrush creating conversations through partnering with libraries, senior centers and caregiving organizations to present it. The film is fiercely personal to its creator, as her father has been living with dementia for over 20 years. Learn more about Karen’s work
James Wilson came to Baltimore in 1972 to attend Maryland Institute CA and has been working as a professional artist and drummer ever since. For 35 years, he worked as an orthotist and prosthetic technician. James is also a professional percussionist with several local bands. Learn more about James’ work