The Duke/UNC ADRC is excited to introduce artist Susan Sidebottom to our community. Through her deeply personal and experience-informed photography, Susan explores memory, caregiving, and the lived experience of Alzheimer’s disease—offering a powerful new way to understand the dementia patient experience. 

A Photographer Grounded in Connection

Susan Sidebottom is a conceptual photographer whose work blends documentary realism with elements of abstraction and storytelling. Raised in North Carolina and educated at the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, she recently earned her MFA in Studio Art from the School of the Art Institute of Chicago.  

Her artistic process is rooted in empathy and community engagement. Susan often immerses herself in the environments and relationships she photographs, building trust and understanding over time. She describes her approach as “the art of visiting”—forming meaningful connections that allow her to capture not just images, but the emotions and experiences behind them.  

Exploring Memory Through Art

At the heart of Susan’s work is a deep interest in how people experience memory, identity, and change. Her current body of work, As If Nothing Is Wrong, is especially meaningful for individuals and families impacted by Alzheimer’s disease. 

This ongoing series draws from Susan’s personal experience caring for her mother during her final years with dementia. Rather than photographing her mother directly, Susan focuses on familiar objects, spaces, and visual fragments—transforming them into powerful portraits of memory and loss.  

The result is an immersive visual experience that reflects what many in our ADRC community know firsthand: 

• The shifting boundary between presence and absence 
• The blending of past and present memories
• The emotional complexity of caregiving and connection

Her work also incorporates layered materials and visual distortions to reflect how dementia can alter perception—helping viewers better understand disorientation, vision changes, and the sensory realities of the disease.  

Why This Work Matters

Alzheimer’s disease affects millions of families, and its impact goes far beyond clinical symptoms. Susan’s work creates space for reflection, conversation, and emotional understanding—complementing the scientific research and care efforts happening within the ADRC. 

By translating lived experiences into visual form, her photography: 

• Honors the stories of individuals and families affected by dementia
• Helps others better understand the emotional realities of the disease
• Encourages dialogue between science, caregiving, and the arts

Susan’s work reminds us that memory is not only something we study—it is something we feel, share, and hold onto in many different ways. 

We look forward to welcoming Susan in person at the upcoming ADRC Study Participant Appreciation Event on June 27, where she will share more about her work and creative process. This will be a special opportunity to hear directly from Susan and experience her perspective on memory, caregiving, and the power of art to deepen understanding. 

Through artists like Susan Sidebottom, we are reminded that every experience with Alzheimer’s disease is not only a clinical story—but also a deeply human one, worthy of compassion, creativity, and understanding.