Releasing The Pain of Grief Through Visual Arts
After my first session with a grief counsellor, nine months after my husband's death, I searched for a version of Pandora's Box. During this session we had discussed how, when my husband died on January 19 2007, I took my backside off the box where I had carefully stored all my broken bits. I only took it off for a little while but when the lid opened all sorts of horrible things leaped out the box and splattered themselves all over the place. Horrid little sprites, wasp like beasts, spiteful creatures with bull ant stings attacked me and I have been like the walking wounded ever since.
I was too slow jamming the lid back on. Things had leaped out that could not be put back in the box. Fortunately, Hope remained and I have found she keeps taking different shapes. She has transmuted and taken the shape of a shiatsu therapist who helped me see I could be whole again. She has looked at me through the eyes of a grief counsellor and found expression through art.
Art is far more effective at communicating the pain experience than words ever could be. The pain experience goes beyond the actual occurrence of physical pain and encompasses the entirety of one's life. The pain experience can be both negative and positive.I am going to take all the broken bits, carefully examine them and work with her to see if we can make me whole again. Art has helped me to do this.
I was too slow jamming the lid back on. Things had leaped out that could not be put back in the box. Fortunately, Hope remained and I have found she keeps taking different shapes. She has transmuted and taken the shape of a shiatsu therapist who helped me see I could be whole again. She has looked at me through the eyes of a grief counsellor and found expression through art.
Art is far more effective at communicating the pain experience than words ever could be. The pain experience goes beyond the actual occurrence of physical pain and encompasses the entirety of one's life. The pain experience can be both negative and positive.I am going to take all the broken bits, carefully examine them and work with her to see if we can make me whole again. Art has helped me to do this.
What Does Not Kill You
Makes You Stronger
The pain experience can impact one's life in positive ways. "What does not kill you makes you stronger," is an applicable quote. It is not unusual for people with chronic pain to develop greater inner strength, and to become more introspective which leads to better self-understanding. Chronic pain may change the course of one's life and result in a more satisfying path.Personally the pain of watching disease ravage the body of my beloved one, standing by, relatively helpless, irrevocably changed me. I retreated within and built the Soul Food Cafe, turned my energy towards making creative projects, took up pencils and expressed what I could never find the words to express.
This piece depicts a character who refuse to carry the weight on her shoulders. Rather, she is balancing the world on her head with the grace of a tribal woman carrying a bucket of water.
Descansos - Life Is A Roller Coaster
helps to palliate the pain
Traditionally Descansos (Spanish for 'place of rest') marked the place of loss. Often we pray that the one who has died will rest in peace. In truth it is those that are left behind that face the challenge of resting peacefully.I created a descansos blog as my place of rest, a place to mark my loss and celebrate the joy that we knew over a period spanning thirty seven years. It was one space to find peace
Places of The Heart
In 2001, after the cancer diagnosis, Darryl and I made a pilgrimage to Delphi and to the Temple of Athena. This photograph, of the breathtaking temple, was taken by Darryl.
All of my work here, in this web environment, is my offering to Athena and the muses who guided me during that journey of the heart.
'The Fallen' was drawn after Darryl's death. I felt that part of me fell on that day, was trying to express that the Heather of Heather and Darryl died on January 19th 2007 as well.
- Soul Food Cafe
- The Soul Food Cafe and, in particular, Lemuria, is first and foremost my private hospes. It is the private world, my personal inner world. Over the years many people have followed the labyrinthine corridors of my mind. It never ceases to amaze me that so many have made such an effort to reach the Omphalos, the very centre of the site.
- Lemuria
- I built Lemuria as a Utopian world and a host of people followed the thread I had left and found me there. They stayed and took the time to help forge a new world.
- Temple of Solace
- The Temple of Solace has become the most extraordinary retreat. At the time of Darryl's death Soul Food Community members maintained a vigil and posted precious pieces to provide comfort and support. It is now visited by people from all over the world.
- Descansos
- Darryl and I often said that our life, over the past seventeen years, had taken on the quality of being on a roller coaster. There were so many adjustments we made, changes that were necessary as we faced one crisis after another.
- Isle of Ancestors
- The Isle of Ancestors is one of the most mysterious, revered destinations on the Silk Road. Ferry Women bring travellers to it's shores from Duwamish. Travellers who come here are deeply touched by their experience on this legendary Silk Road island.
- Billabong Dreaming
- Billabong Dreaming is a place where I can sit by a Billabong, remember, gain strength and move forward. I still have no idea who I will be now that I cannot describe myself as being a part of a partnership but a shape is gradually forming.
- Baba Yaga's Wild Garden
- Baba Yaga's Wild Garden is the place where I work with the ancient crone and sing over the bones.
The Fallen
Kahlo - A Guiding Light
provides inspiration
One of the most famous pain artists is Mexican painter Frida Kahlo, whose work, now on exhibit at the Philadelphia Museum of Art, is imbued with the lifelong suffering she experienced after being impaled during a trolley accident as a teenager. Her injuries left her spine and pelvis shattered, resulting in multiple operations and miscarriages, and she often depicted her suffering on canvas in stark, disturbing and even bloody images.I have been a fan of Frida Kahlo for a very long time. Her work is quite extraordinary, particularly when you consider the conditions she worked in.
Work of Frida Kahlo
an intimate relationship with pain
Frida Kahlo: National Homage 1907-2007
Amazon Price: $45.50 (as of 12/29/2009) 
Frida: A Biography of Frida Kahlo
Amazon Price: $17.96 (as of 12/29/2009)
The Diary of Frida Kahlo: An Intimate Self-Portrait
Amazon Price: $16.47 (as of 12/29/2009)
Frida Kahlo
Amazon Price: $32.97 (as of 12/29/2009)
Frida Kahlo: The Artist who Painted Herself (Smart About Art)
Amazon Price: $5.99 (as of 12/29/2009)
Exhibitions of Pain as An Art Form
- Pain As An Art Form
- Pain doesn't show up on a body scan and can't be measured in a test. As a result, many chronic pain sufferers turn to art, opting to paint, draw or sculpt images in an effort to depict their pain.
"It's often much more difficult to put pain into words, which is one of the big problems with pain,'' said Allan I. Basbaum, editor-in-chief of Pain, the medical journal of The International Association for the Study of Pain. "You can't articulate it, and you can't see it. There is no question people often try to illustrate their pain.''
If you are strong enough visit the pain exhibition. - Visualizing Pain
- This slide show effectively depicts pain, but you have to be strong enough to view it all.
- Pain Exhibit
- Visit the Pain Exhibit and make sure to click Publications and view the covers of the Journal of Pain and Palliative Care Pharmacotherapy.
Make Sure to Comment
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- paperfacets paperfacets Feb 4, 2009 @ 3:00 pm
- It is funny I found this lens just today. I am writing a lens about my pet that is now gone. He died last April. I do not feel overwhelming sadness about his loss, but I find myself thinking about our last time with him. Many times. I started a lens about him this morning! Of course, artist's know about Kahlo, her desire to expressive her feelings in art. But it is in practice all the time. Several years ago I heard of a show that was dedicated to the trauma of a woman also in a traffic accident. Her paintings were very graphic.
Very good expression in this lens. Thank you!
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- LJG LJG Apr 28, 2008 @ 10:12 am
- Being associated with art therapy education for nearly 25 years, I fully appreciate the healing power of art. Thanks for posting this Heather.
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- Kerry Kerry Apr 27, 2008 @ 5:15 pm
- I did my thesis on healing through creativity - it is a universal theme - I look forward to visiting this lens as we journey towards wholeness. We learn, we share, we go on as best we can...you are not alone... Kerry
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- genece20 genece20 Apr 26, 2008 @ 9:27 pm
- Heather, this is a beautiful and heart touching lens that provides inspiration and encouragement. I will visit this lens often to continue learning and understanding more of your beauty and depth. Genece
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- wyrdspirit wyrdspirit Apr 26, 2008 @ 2:36 pm
- A beautiful beginning - brought tears to fall - a good thing. "The Fallen" is a truly painful yet encouraging piece .
I look forward to watching the development of this lens.
by heatherblakey
Heather Blakey, is the creative mixologist, the artistic midwife and purveyor of creative stimuli who built The Soul Food Cafe from scratch. Heather i... (more)
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