Ray Maloney is a self-taught artist who has spent a lifetime working with oils, acrylics and painting scenery on ceramics. 
He was diagnosed with probable Alzheimer's disease in 1998.  Approximately three years following his diagnosis, Ray began designing collages. He usually began by painting the background in acrylics. He spent hours looking through magazines searching for images that could be used. From the thousands and thousands of pieces he cut, Ray then glued little pieces to form
a collage reflecting his thoughts about living with cognitive impairment. The little pieces of paper were symbolic of the changes that were occurring in Ray's brain.

Between 2001-2004, Mr. Maloney has designed approximately fifty collages. 
He was commissioned by a local attorney in 2003 to do a 24' x 36' collage for her office. The collage, filled with Italian scenes, was his largest piece of work. 
Additionally several of his designs have been chosen by the Alzheimer's Association
for holiday cards.
 
In 2003 Ray was invited by the Alzheimer's Education Program team at
Eastern Michigan University to teach graduate-level health care students about his collage technique.  It was very moving to watch him listening to the students' personal stories about the images they had created. Their stories poignantly illustrated the importance of getting in touch with self and reflecting on why we have chosen to
work in the field of dementia care.
 
Beginning January 2008, the gallery will be expanded to include a more extensive collection of Mr. Maloney's collages. Stay tuned ... we hope eventually to have reproductions of his works available for sale. 
 
At the upcoming Edna Gates Conference on Dementia Care, Mrs. Maloney will
have an exhibit of her husband's work. Some of the collages will be available
for sale. The Edna Gates Conference will be held on November 5 & 6, 2007
at the Marriott Hotel in Troy.

Back to top of page