The story of dobby international
What is Dobby International?
Dobby International is a art object, that symbol represents the experiences of people with dementia and as conversation tool can be used to recall memories and to discuss the subject of dementia.
The Origin
The idea behind 'Dobby International' was born during a visit to Elephant Parade Land In Thailand, among the hundreds of beautifully painted elephant statues stood a single, small white duck.
In art, the translation of moments, emotions, and humanity plays a major role. And this was such a moment. Among all those colorful giants, known for their excellent memories, stood that colorless, lonely duckling: Who are you? What are you doing here?
The link between my work (especially the collection Emotion in Simplicity) and dementia was born. Back in the Netherlands, Dobby took on his current form as a turquoise statue. With his golden kintsugi cracks on his head, he says:something that is broken can still be beautiful.'
Every person with dementia remains valuable.
Erica de Winter
Visual artist and initiator creative day center Studio Blijmakers
Our Mission
Every person with dementia remains valuable. Dobby, with his gold-cracked head, makes dementia visible and a topic of conversation. He represents love, connection, and respect. As the memories, individuality, and dignity of people with dementia fade, we will continue to know them. For who they were, for who they are.
Our Core Values
- Dignity: Every human being deserves respect, regardless of his or her cognitive abilities
- Connection: Together we are stronger than alone
- BeautyThere is something beautiful in everyone and everything
- Heap: There is always something that remains, even when much disappears
Our Vision
Dobby is becoming the international symbol for dementia. By combining art and stories, Dobby connects everyone affected by dementia. Dobby inspires and facilitates people to continue to see, feel, and seek out value, love, respect, and connection, even as their memory fades.
Each Dobby is hand-painted by artists in Thailand: the place where his concept was born. Production is fair trade, and 20% of the profits from each Dobby International figurine (and all its offshoot projects) benefit renowned organizations dedicated to people with dementia.
Art object, Symbol, Conversation tool
Dobby International is a art object, that symbol represents the experiences of people with dementia and as conversation tool can be used to recall memories and to discuss the subject of dementia.
Dobby is a unique, friendly-looking figurine in the shape of a turquoise duck with gold cracks across its head. These cracks are inspired by kintsugi—or golden bonding. Kintsugi is the Japanese art form of repairing broken ceramics with gold lacquer in the cracks. The underlying idea is that something broken can still be valuable and beautiful. Every person with dementia remains valuable.
Traces of vulnerability and of the life lived are part of being human. The power of the art object Dobby lies in its emphasis on these traces, rather than concealing them. In this way, it invites discussion about life as it unfolds, with all its positive and negative aspects.
Where does the name Dobby International come from?
Dobby: small duck, big impact. The name Dobby International wasn't chosen by chance. Dobby the duck floats along with the waves of his day. Sometimes calmly floating, sometimes aimlessly searching for support when the water gets rough. Dobby understands people dealing with dementia and always stays close. He offers comfort, is endearing, and brings a smile to your face. In this way, he shows that there is always warmth and connection, even when life changes due to dementia.
Our Invitation
Dobby International invites you to look at dementia differently. Not as an end point, but as the beginning of a new phase of life. Not as a problem to be solved, but as a challenge that can bring us closer together.
Living with dementia is about the art of:
- to see what is there, instead of what is no longer there
- to feel, instead of just thinking
- to connect, instead of excluding
- to cherish, instead of fearing
Dobby shows that love and connection always last – even when memories fade.
