Iris Appleyard was born in Perth, Western Australia in 1926. She was educated in Perth and had an artistic beginning as a classical singer in the late 1940s and 1950s – broadcasting with the ABC and singing regularly with the Perth Philharmonic as a contralto soloist.
After marriage and the birth of three daughters, drawing and painting became a growing interest. Returning to Western Australia from the USA and Canberra, she enrolled at the Claremont Technical College and completed a Diploma of Fine Art in 1976. Relating colour to orchestration of music was a skill that Iris developed during her studies.
For three years from 1982, Iris conducted a colour workshop for students at her home studio in City Beach. Iris and her students formed “The Lentara Group” and exhibited at many galleries throughout Perth in the 1980s. Lentara is an Aboriginal word meaning “early morning” and is the name of the street where Iris had her home studio.
In the mid 1990s, Iris was diagnosed with Alzheimer’s disease. In the beginning it had little effect on her and her family. Her love of painting and writing continued. Her poem ‘Creativity’ (1996) shows her sadness at feeling that she had lost her inspiration and ability to paint.
Rottnest Golf Course
Iris Appleyard Winter, 1979
Creativity (1996)
Dear One,
Why are you always hiding in my heart
Once you came and danced with me
Lifted me high above the trees
And let my spirit share
With your bright laughter
Now you seem so far away
As though the wind had lost its way
And in my searching there
Is only the sound of your soft sighs
While all the leaves are falling
As time went on Iris’ battle with Alzheimer’s became more difficult. Someone had to be with her or she would become confused and sometimes upset. Her family contacted the Alzheimer’s Association for support.
Alzheimer’s Australia Western Australia Ltd. is the industry expert – a not-for –profit charitable organisation with experienced staff trained to care appropriately for people with dementia as well as providing information, education and counselling.
They sent Iris a lovely lady called Anne who would keep her company for a few hours a week. As Anne became known to Iris, together they set off for visits to art galleries and coffee, and Iris eagerly imparted her knowledge and love of painting to Anne.
It gave Iris’ family a much needed break. However, the resources of Alzheimer’s Australia, and Iris’ time with Anne, was limited and precious.
In 2004 Iris sustained a fall at home resulting in a fractured elbow. The ambulance ride and admission to hospital were both frightening and confusing for her. She was admitted to the first hospital for only a few hours – the staff called her family and asked them to collect her. Iris was wandering along the hospital corridors, lost and looking for her home. They said they didn’t have the staff to watch her and to prevent her from wandering.
In another hospital she was placed in a “dementia unit” – a locked ward where she was prevented from leaving her bed or chair by the use of restraint devices. Although her family were with Iris to reassure and calm her for most of the day and early evenings, no family members were with her during the nights. By the time she left hospital she was unable to walk and spent the rest of her life in a wheelchair or bed.
Her family insisted that she be moved home. They employed a carer to provide round the clock professional nursing care.
Iris passed away at her home in October 2004.
The Blue Canopy
Iris Appleyard, 1985
(Nov 2001)
The greatest thing you’ll even learn is just to love and be loved in return
Love the morning
Love the sunlight
Love the trees
And grow with love
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