Caring nurse a muse through celebrated artist Andrew Sibley’s final days

AN AGED-CARE nurse knew just what to do when ageing artist Andrew Sibley lost interest in his medium.

Famous artist Andrew Sibley spent his last days at Caulfield Hospital, and sketched many of the docs and nurses who cared for him, including nurse Felix Mendonca, with whom he became close. Felix holds his portraits sketched by Andrew Sibley Picture: Janine eastgate

CAULFIELD Hospital nurse Felix Mendonca found himself the subject of a string of portraits by an internationally-celebrated artist, after Andrew Sibley spent some of his last days in the hospital.

Mr Mendonca, who has been nursing for eight years, provided one-on-one care for Sibley for five shifts a week, earlier this year.

In the hospital’s Aged Care General (ACG) ward, Mr Mendonca said his 81-year-old patient had suffered memory loss and struggled to accept his condition after a lifetime of independence.

“Mr Sibley had a lot on his mind (during his time in hospital) — he was always in a hurry, thinking he had to go an art show or a work conference,” Mr Mendonca explained.

So to calm him, Mr Mendonca tried to encourage Sibley to draw, using the art supplies left at his bedside by his attentive family.

But the artist refused, until Mr Mendonca one day started drawing himself.

“(Sibley) said ‘No, it’s not done that way’, then he started drawing — and he never stopped,” Mr Mendonca said.

“It made a lot of difference. Anyone who came and sat in front of him, he would draw. He was much calmer.”

“His family saw him become more like himself again.”

One of Andrew Sibley’s drawings of Felix Mendonca.

Sibley was a figurative painter and senior lecturer of painting who enjoyed a distinguished career spanning more than six decades.

He suffered a fall in January this year and was cared for in The Alfred’s ICU before being admitted to Caulfield Hospital and then a nursing home.

He died on September 3.

Son Ben Sibley said the family particularly appreciated the one-on-one care Sibley received in his final days.

“It was because dad was a high falls risk that he needed constant companionship. Felix

was quickly able to tailor his care in a way that did not challenge dad’s sense of

independence, and yet was able to promote his expression through his art,” Mr Sibley said.

“I was very conscious of the fact that art was important to dad, and promoted this idea

to the ACG staff that it might be a therapeutic activity for him.”

“Felix identified with this concept and was instrumental in making this idea a reality through his encouragement and amazing goodwill.”

Caulfield Hospital manager, fundraising and public affairs, Heather Thomas said Mr Mendonca was featured in about one-third of the drawings Sibley completed at Caulfield from April-August.

This body of work — “Last Drawings” — is being exhibited as part of the Hobart Art Prize exhibition at the Tasmanian Museum and Art Gallery and also at Melbourne’s Kick Gallery.

Mr Mendonca said Sibley’s son had given him two drawings — one of himself and one of the artist — and they were very special to him.