Grieving through art

SUBMISSIONS are now open for Hope Bereavement Care’s National annual Grief Week Exhibition.

Grief Week was started by Hope last year after discovering there was no dedicated week, and was launched with a comprehensive program of events.

Hope Bereavement Care executive officer Jacinta Bourke said the week was all about normalising grief in the community, with art playing an important role in the process.

“[Grief Week is] to give people the opportunity to understand that there are multiple ways to work through grief.

“One of the most powerful ones is through art, whether it be painting, drawing, mixed media, but equally through poetry, through music.”

Ms Bourke said the exhibition itself is very broad, with the understanding people utilise all different art forms to come to terms with their grief.

The showcase is open to people who have experienced the loss of a loved one and have used art as a way of expressing what they’re feeling or sharing their story.

Ms Bourke said the exhibition is an opportunity for the community to be exposed to more art and to have a conversation.

“It’s aimed at starting the conversations around grief in all its forms.

“It’s very much about supporting people in the community with their grief and also normalising it enough to talk about grief and acknowledge people.”

As a not-for-profit organisation, this year’s Grief Week events will be scaled down.

The exhibition has received funding however, some of the extra activities that occurred last year will not return in 2025.

Expressions of interest close on June 20, with the exhibition launch to be held at the Geelong Regional Library and Heritage Centre on August 17.

For more information, head to bereavement.org.au