Inspired by my personal experience and the way emotions manifest in the body, this collection seeks to uncover the hidden moments of grief. 

Grief is a powerful and important topic, yet an often under-discussed experience. Though we each encounter it differently, it’s something that we all experience at some time in our lives, and because of this it should be a time of great connection and compassion. Yet, it can feel deeply isolating, as if no one else can fully understand. 

Grief is not only the loss of a loved one; it can come from many places and take on many forms. It may be the loss of time, a treasured possession, resurfaced memories, moving to a new place, or losing the ability to do something once loved. It could be the loss of a pet, the loss of self, or even the particular grief you feel over a situation that is uniquely yours. 

Whilst this collection began as a way to express the emotions surrounding grief, it has transformed into something more. At its core is love - the constant in all experiences of grief. This collection guides you on a journey through love: what it feels like to experience it, to lose it, to heal and grow around it, and to rediscover it. 

We are here to feel, to embrace both the joy of love and the shadow of pain it sometimes casts. Together, they remind us that we are alive and that life, in all its complexity, is worth fully embracing. 

My experiences of grief have come from many places and taken multiple forms throughout my life so far. One of the most defining moments was losing my dad, who passed away when I was 19 after a long battle with cancer. It was a confusing, isolating experience, and I found myself constantly saying I was “fine”. This word masked my pain for almost 15 years, projecting normalcy whilst I felt empty inside.

I didn’t understand how to process grief, and it felt like each loss only deepened with every experience. No one tells you how hard it can be to experience. I coped by withdrawing emotionally, as if my safe space had disappeared, leaving an unsettled pain.

Grief is like a rock thrown in a still pond, creating ripples - emotions lying still just under the surface that rise up. I was filled with self-doubt, and no longer trusted my gut, but I learned to keep going, growing with the feelings.

I don’t think the grief ever fades, but it becomes lighter to carry. It is almost comforting knowing in some way that it is always in my heart. I’ve learned that whilst grief is painful, it also reveals strength and empathy, offering opportunities for growth.

This collection is a reflection of that growth - a story of finding voice and expressing emotions once suppressed. It reminds us that it’s okay to not be okay, and that we need space to share what we’re feeling. For a long time, I ignored my emotions; creating this work allowed me to reconnect.

I hope these pieces help you feel seen and open a space for expression. Look closely - they may have something to tell you too.

The body holds our emotions and until we breath into them, there they remain. Without time and space to feel and fully express emotions, they can become stuck, leading to not only emotional but also physical pain.

This collection captures the stillness of the body as a vessel for emotional expression, focusing particularly on the experience of grief. Each painting began as a sketch, capturing an imagined pose. I then photographed myself in these poses, to then reduce the silhouette to a simplified form that stripped away identifying features, directing attention purely to the emotion behind the pose. A process of colour exploration followed, revealing a palette that lead to these expressive, vibrant works.

The unique colours represent the life force, the movement of energy, and the release of emotions as we breath into them. These pieces invite you, the viewer, to breath as you observe, to feel the colours, and to explore the emotions that arise within you. During the creation process, I used my breath as a tool to navigate challenging emotions, releasing them into the work and returning my focus to the art. 

Upon completing each painting, I was inspired to translate these feelings into poetry, capturing their essence in words. The combination of paintings and poetry then created musical compositions, with all elements merging into one cohesive expression. 

These works are not static or linear representations of grief. Each time you look or listen, your experience may shift, inviting you to sit with them and connect with your body and breath in a meaningful way.

Together, the visual art, poetry and music offer a multifaceted experience of love and grief.