5 tcf.org.uk COMPASSION | FEATURE: EXPRESSING GRIEF THROUGH ART As you can imagine the enormity of the deaths of my beloved children has been overwhelming but I feel I have been able to express my grief through the creativity of art. I moved to Didsbury, Manchester after Stephen died and my neighbour invited me to an art class at the Community Centre. I considered myself totally hopeless at art with no imagination, useless at drawing and nil creativity, but thought, after everything that had happened to me, what had I got to lose? The above creation was a project the art teacher gave us. We had to focus on ‘Me’ and things that had meaning in our lives, plus using other medium apart from just paint/drawing. I chose the ‘Umbrella of Grief’ which covers everything in my life but, within that umbrella are the things that help me to survive and cope with my loss. Pressed flowers associated with volunteer gardening at the local park and my own garden. Initials representing ‘M’ (Michael my surviving child) and ‘A’ (Alan my husband), and around the outside initials of family and friends. Origami dog representing Rosie, my Staffordshire Bull Terrier who is our lifeline (we’ve always had dogs in our family and they’re very important to us). Circle with Bulls head crossed through surrounded by nuts and seeds associated with Vegetarianism. Fob watch which is my 40year nursing career. Origami shoes representing my passion for jiving. Mouth/foil musical notes and sheet music representing two choirs and singing lesson which helps me mentally. Plus origami hearts and foil tears. The umbrella is made from twigs showing my love of nature. Stephen and Helena’s initials are at the top of the umbrella. It was a very cathartic project to tackle as it was so easy for me, in times of utter despair, to focus entirely on my heartbreak and pain, whilst forgetting about positive outlets in my life. I know experiencing the complete joy I felt before my children’s deaths will not happen again, and I accept this, but I am now living my life as I’m sure Helena and Stephen would want me to, with hope, rather than merely surviving. Expressing Grief through Art Shared by Sandra Thurm Helena (L), Stephen (R) My daughter, Helena, died 8 years ago and my son, Stephen, died 4 years ago.
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