Print this page
Art Competition Gallery 2016
Welcome to the Life in Death gallery! These artworks were entered in Palliative Care Australia’s art competition earlier in 2016. Hover over an artwork to learn more about it.
We received 82 entries, of which, 34 were chosen to exhibit at an art gallery in Canberra. Life in Death was a vibrant and creative exhibition that celebrated life as well as the role death plays in shaping it.
The winners are:
Overall winner – ‘Christening Shroud’ by Anzara Clark.
People’s Choice winner – ‘Ashkeeper’ by Ashley Fiona.
Palliative Care ACT winner – ‘Flight’ by Barbara van der Linden.
Thank you to all the entrants and those who attended the exhibition!
Presence
By Anna
Photograph
Read More
Shared moments of connection remain living. Like tea which was once in amongst life bearing plantations. This tea sustains its fragrance. Its warmth and comfort create a vehicle for community in times of grieving and reflection.
Despair and peace
By Terri Maddock
Painting
Read More
In Mar 2003 my husband was diagnosed with Motor Neurone Disease, we were 33 and our girls were 4,6 and 8 years old. The box jellyfish symbolises the paralysis of MND and Paul’s eventual death 8 years later.
Mangroves provide a safe haven, here the roots are entwined with the stingers from the jellyfish – representing our love, despair and grief during those years, along with the support of our families, and the transition to happier lives when Paul was finally at peace.
He would be very proud of his girls who have grown into beautiful, compassionate young women.
Anastasia
By Beata Dorain
Drawing
Read More
I know a lonely, elderly Greek lady named Anastasia. Anastasia has lots of health problems and worries. She often sits outside of her house. When my son was little and I was picking him up from kindergarten, she would often give him some sweet treats and invite me in for a strong cup of coffee. We would talk for a while and she would tell me about her life. She has one son, but he doesn’t visit her often. Sometimes, Anastasia waits for her son for many hours on the day when he is supposed to visit.
Under the Cedar Limbs
By Bronwyn Ward
Drawing
Read More
This work is a musing on the poem "Thirteen ways of looking at a blackbird" by Walter Stevens. It moves from right to left, with each blackbird experiencing a different point in the acceptance of dying. Some are looking back in reflection, others are angry, one wants to run away. The final one on the left looks defiantly ahead, at peace and ready for what awaits after death. This work flows from my many years experience working in palliative care with both patients and families as a Complementart Therapist.
Heart Matters
By Christine de Brenni
Object
Read More
Essential to life is love. Love creates life and we live on after death through those we loved and who loved us.
This mosaic expresses something of my experience of grief upon losing my soul mate. In life we were joined by our love for each other and we found that that love just keeps growing and incorporates all people and life around us. There is both pain and joy; light and darkness in life, love and death.
My heart felt tight; grief binding all the love I held within it. Pain lessens when my heart freely releases love.
Darkness and Light
By Paulina van der Linden
Photograph
Read More
I had the privilege of spending the night at hospital with my mother one night before she died. She had been in a coma for two months, ravaged by a viral infection slowly destroying her brain. Her strong body fought so very hard to live. On that night I brought in my paper lantern lights to create a softer environment. It was a strange night, whenever I looked at her I found her staring intensely at me. I felt so close to her and can only hope I brought her some comfort.