Between Generations

Description

Between Generations 2 reflects Rose Marinelli’s experience of caring for her elderly mother while also looking after the needs of her own family. During a difficult period surrounding her mother’s surgery, Marinelli found herself navigating the practical and emotional demands of supporting an ageing parent while remaining present for the next generation.

The artwork depicts a seated figure in a wheelchair, viewed from behind, with a guiding arm visible beside her. Bold outlines and vivid, unconventional colours define the scene. Blues and greens distinguish the figure and wheelchair against a luminous yellow background, while a pale green window frames the interaction. The simplified forms give the composition a graphic intensity, drawing attention to the relationship between the figures and the act of providing support.

The wheelchair represents more than physical assistance. It suggests a moment of vulnerability, when everyday activities may become more difficult and help from others is needed. The guiding arm conveys the presence of someone taking responsibility, offering support and helping another person navigate an uncertain period. Yet the seated figure remains central, retaining her dignity within a situation that requires care.

For Marinelli, the work also speaks to the shifting roles that occur within families as time passes. Parents who once cared for their children may eventually need care themselves, while those children continue to carry responsibilities of their own. In this position, the demands of different generations can converge, leaving little room to step back from the needs of others.

The title, Between Generations 2, captures this experience of occupying a space between an ageing parent and the next generation of family. Care becomes an ongoing negotiation of time, energy and responsibility. Love and connection are present, but family relationships are not always straightforward, and doing what is needed can be both rewarding and exhausting.

Rather than presenting care as either a burden or an uncomplicated expression of love, the work acknowledges its complexity. Small acts of assistance can carry considerable emotional weight. They require patience, adaptability and a willingness to put another person’s needs first, even while other responsibilities continue.

Through its vivid colours, bold shapes and understated gesture of support, Between Generations 2 explores the changing nature of family life and the quiet strength required to care for others. It reflects a period in which the needs of different generations came together, placing Marinelli at the centre of responsibilities that were both deeply personal and difficult to separate from one another.