Art..the backstory

July 31st, 2021

7/31/2021

As I was preparing for an upcoming show I had to fill out some forms. Funny how it seems perfectly natural now to write Gary and Gabrielle Bachers .....we come as a package deal. Gary lost the ability to converse or to put his thoughts into written word when he had his stroke.....really hard to understand or make sense of. Expressive aphasia is frustrating and limiting on so many levels and he has lived like this for 34 years.
His incredible patience in dealing with his losses always amazes me.
His art has become his language.

I posted this on social media a few months go and just wanted it to save it in this new blog as well.
A portrait of the artist and his "voice."
Many of you that follow Gary's work on social media may not know that I am Gabrielle.......his voice for the past 34 years.......and you'll always find me beside Gary ...... I speak for him and I write for him.
When there is a post by Gary....... it's me.
When you get an email from Gary.....it's me

In 1987 ...... in a matter of seconds his life changed.
He could not speak and he could not write...he was isolated.
He could not communicate.
He had a hemorrhagic stroke.

Very slowly he learned a new language that gave him a voice.....the language of art.

Today, he continues his art and I continue to be his voice.

2 Comments

Nora Redfern

8/5/2021 08:11:03 am

Hi Gabrielle,
I’m a friend of Polly Cook, through her parents Charlie and Joan Marie. I’ve admired Gary’s work and also your beautiful scarves and your creative perseverance.
In thinking of Gary’s meticulous talent, I was wondering if he has ever tried communicating by typing his thoughts on a keyboard.
My friend Leah Rauch’s son, Daniel, is non-verbal, but was taught how to type and his whole world opened up as a result. Here is his blog:
raysoflightandrollsofrain.blogspot.com
I know every individual has their own unique challenges and you and Gary appear to have gracefully met them, but I still wonder if this technique would be of any use to Gary.
I may be erring on the side of good intentions.
With respect, Nora

Gary and Gabrielle Bachers

8/12/2021 07:54:16 am

Thank you for your kind words. Unfortunately the written alphabet makes no sense to Gary. He can read, he can copy. but if he can't write the simplest word..... of course you need to understand the keyboard and know the letters you want to use to type as well. Sadly he has never recovered since his stroke was a devastating one...a massive bleed.
And so, Art is really his language.

Thank you for caring.......Gabrielle

July 31st, 2021

Leave a Reply.

Gabrielle Bachers

Archives

Categories