It's hard to believe, but the end is near for the Bearing Witness Art Show, the first art show of it's kind, featuring visual, written and musical works from 32 artists exploring the experience of pregnancy loss and infertility using the creative process. It has been an profound experience, one that artists and visitors will likely not forget.
Friday night I went to the gallery with my dear friend and together we sat looking at the artwork, sharing tears and moments of reflection on this emotional journey. For me, and perhaps others, this show gave me the opportunity to connect with a greater community of individuals and feel less isolated in my experience with loss, all the while bringing my community together to share each of our powerful stories. For my friend, she opened herself up to the grief and loss that she has not experienced, nor could she imagine trying to comprehend this experience for myself and others. We came together, each of us from different places in the experience, each of us changed.
Please join my fellow artists and me for the Closing Reception, where we will gather together one last time to honor these creative expressions of loss.
Closing Reception
Sunday, July 29th
4:00-6:00 pm
Marylhurst University
Streff Gallery- Located in the Shoen Libary
17600 Pacific Highway, Hwy 43
Marylhurst, Oregon
Thank you!
Artwork
Sunday, July 29, 2012
Sunday, July 15, 2012
Artist Updates!
I have had the great pleasure of collaborating with 31 artists from all over the country (and Wales too!) This talented group of men and women have amazed me with their creativity, stories and celebration of life after loss.
Take a look at some of their new projects and celebrations!
Laurinda Reddig recently won the grand prize at the Vogue Crochet Design contest! She exhbited her Rowan Tree Vest, a beautiful crocheted piece that is a new addition to the July exhibit at Marylhurst University.
Abby Lazerow recently launched her brand new website. Meet Abby and view her amazing body of work and figurative paintings, including her Elise series under the Grief and Loss section.
Katie Rose Alexander recently published her piece of writing from the show, Of the Water, in the Summer 2012 Squat Birth Journal!
Nikki McClure will have a solo exhibit, Cutting her Own Path; 1996-2012, at the Bellevue Arts Museum this coming November 2012-February 2013. This is a must see exhibit if you missed it in Portland!
Take a look at some of their new projects and celebrations!
Laurinda Reddig recently won the grand prize at the Vogue Crochet Design contest! She exhbited her Rowan Tree Vest, a beautiful crocheted piece that is a new addition to the July exhibit at Marylhurst University.
Abby Lazerow recently launched her brand new website. Meet Abby and view her amazing body of work and figurative paintings, including her Elise series under the Grief and Loss section.
Katie Rose Alexander recently published her piece of writing from the show, Of the Water, in the Summer 2012 Squat Birth Journal!
Nikki McClure will have a solo exhibit, Cutting her Own Path; 1996-2012, at the Bellevue Arts Museum this coming November 2012-February 2013. This is a must see exhibit if you missed it in Portland!
Monday, July 2, 2012
An open letter
I have been amazed at how this meditation, support networks, sunshine, along with time and energy spent grieving and creating in the face of loss and has led me to this point. Right now, I feel pretty good.
I am proud that I have helped create an art show where women, men and
families have come to share their stories of loss with mine. Throughout this
whole experience I asked myself what I was looking for during this time of
loss, reflection and creation. I was looking for many things, but one aspect of
my journey has always been that I wanted the opportunity to tell my story and
for others to tell theirs. I wanted people to listen to and look at the
stories. Not analyze, give advice, provide a sense of false hope, or minimize
the pain that is and was- just listen, look and empathize.
To some, our stories of loss, death, blood and tears are awful to
consider, fathom or think about, especially for those who have never
experienced the magnitude of the death of a child, a fetus or the inability for
one’s body to support or conceive a life. We know these stories are awful and
heart wrenching, we lived them. Several years ago I talked to a woman with dementia and asked her to tell me about herself. She couldn’t remember where she lived. She couldn’t remember what she had done for a living. She remembered to tell me that she had six miscarriages.
I will never forget that moment. This woman may never have told her story to anyone else. What if she had always wanted to talk about her losses,
but never had the opportunity to do so?
For myself and others in this art show, we know that letting people in
and expressing emotion about our losses can help us. It might not help everyone to talk
about and expose their pain to their communities, but for some of us, this is the
path towards healing, acceptance and even happy endings.Of course happy endings are just one part of someone’s life story. To be open to knowing the whole story and the suffering that some must endure is a powerful way to understand your fellow human beings.
The final exhibit for the Bearing Witness Art Show will be up for the month of July at Marylhurst University in the Streff Gallery located in the library. 32 artists from all over the country (and one from abroad) have joined together to show their work and share their stories. It is truly a powerful and beautiful exhibit. If you have not seen it yet, please consider making the trip.
http://www.marylhurst.edu/arts-and-events/streff-gallery/
You are also invited to join us for the closing reception on Sunday, July 29th from 4:00-6:00 pm. Details to follow.
Thank you for opening up your hearts and minds and supporting this project.
Kristen
Thursday, June 21, 2012
Artist Profiles 9
Chistiane Crosby created a piece of artwork to honor and remember all of her babies in one place. After 10 pregnancies in 10 years, which included miscarriages, stillborns and the live birth of her daughter at 26 weeks, Christiane has appreciated the opportunity to create a piece of art to share both the grief and the hope she experienced when she and her husband tried to start a family.
Kelly Martin, an artist and teacher, has always found that the creation of art can lead to healing, understanding and clarity when we are faced with challenges in our lives. Kelly and her husband have struggled with unexplained infertility over the last two and a half years and still hold hope that one day they will be able to start a family. The creation and sharing of Kelly's artwork has been a powerful experience given infertility can be such a silent struggle.
Kelly Martin, an artist and teacher, has always found that the creation of art can lead to healing, understanding and clarity when we are faced with challenges in our lives. Kelly and her husband have struggled with unexplained infertility over the last two and a half years and still hold hope that one day they will be able to start a family. The creation and sharing of Kelly's artwork has been a powerful experience given infertility can be such a silent struggle.
Tuesday, May 22, 2012
Photos from the Opening Reception: May 11, 2012
All Photos taken by Kari Cornelius Hay, All Rights Reserved 2012
Saturday, May 12, 2012
About last night...
Last night was an amazing experience. The opening reception at the Peace House was filled with so much. Artists found one another and connected through shared experiences. Friends, families and community members looked at powerful artwork together. Writings honoring loss and ritual were spoken. Music and song of celebration and pain filled the room.
The Peace House, a private residence, graciously opened up their beautiful home for this exhibit. The house was a place where people could see powerful artwork in a setting that was comforting and real. I cannot thank the residents of the Peace House enough.
The show is still up at the Peace House today only.
Saturday, May 12th from 10:00-6:00 pm.
If you have a moment, please stop by and take a look.
The Peace House
2116 NE 18th Avenue
Portland, Oregon
If you are unable to see the show this weekend, it will be up the month of July at Marylhurst University. Details to follow.
Thank You to the artists, the volunteers who helped hang the show, the friends and family who donated time and energy in helping put this show together, to Pat and everyone at the Peace House, for all they have done to welcome the show into their home.
Thank you.
Kristen
The Peace House, a private residence, graciously opened up their beautiful home for this exhibit. The house was a place where people could see powerful artwork in a setting that was comforting and real. I cannot thank the residents of the Peace House enough.
The show is still up at the Peace House today only.
Saturday, May 12th from 10:00-6:00 pm.
If you have a moment, please stop by and take a look.
The Peace House
2116 NE 18th Avenue
Portland, Oregon
If you are unable to see the show this weekend, it will be up the month of July at Marylhurst University. Details to follow.
Thank You to the artists, the volunteers who helped hang the show, the friends and family who donated time and energy in helping put this show together, to Pat and everyone at the Peace House, for all they have done to welcome the show into their home.
Thank you.
Kristen
Sunday, May 6, 2012
Opening Reception: May 11, 2012
Opening Reception:
Friday, May 11th from 5:00-9:00 pm.
Musical performances and readings will take place at 7:00.
The Peace House
2116 NE 18th Avenue
Portland, OR
Viewing Hours:
Saturday, May 12th from 10:00-6:00, artwork will be on display and open to to public.
*Children are welcome if you feel comfortable bringing them to the event.
Friday, May 11th from 5:00-9:00 pm.
Musical performances and readings will take place at 7:00.
The Peace House
2116 NE 18th Avenue
Portland, OR
Viewing Hours:
Saturday, May 12th from 10:00-6:00, artwork will be on display and open to to public.
*Children are welcome if you feel comfortable bringing them to the event.
Thursday, April 26, 2012
Artist Profiles 8
Megan Joplin has been a freelance photographer for over fifteen years. She is currently working on a series of portraits of men and women who have exeperienced recurrent miscarriage. This series is a very personal one, Megan miscarried four times prior to having her now three year old son. Meet Megan and her work at http://www.mjoplinphotography.com/
Alyssa Dawn St. Peters, age 15, wrote a song, "Butterfly" about her infant sister Aurora who died during childbirth in September of 2009. The song is inspired by a recurring dream Alyssa has about Aurora and the life she was never able to live. Alyssa wrote the song with the help of her best friend Christian and recently performed it with a My Voice Music and SUN School program hosted at David Douglas High School. Learn more about the program at http://www.myvoicemusic.org/blog/?p=740
Katherine Greer is a midwife serving families in Portland, Oregon. Katherine created a piece of artwork dedicated to the three families she has grieved beside, as they excitedly anticipated the birth of little ones, only to be met with loss and having to say goodbye. She is committed to not letting the grief of loss be silent and alone. "Just like the work of raising children is work we do together. We must come together to let them go."
Alyssa Dawn St. Peters, age 15, wrote a song, "Butterfly" about her infant sister Aurora who died during childbirth in September of 2009. The song is inspired by a recurring dream Alyssa has about Aurora and the life she was never able to live. Alyssa wrote the song with the help of her best friend Christian and recently performed it with a My Voice Music and SUN School program hosted at David Douglas High School. Learn more about the program at http://www.myvoicemusic.org/blog/?p=740
Katherine Greer is a midwife serving families in Portland, Oregon. Katherine created a piece of artwork dedicated to the three families she has grieved beside, as they excitedly anticipated the birth of little ones, only to be met with loss and having to say goodbye. She is committed to not letting the grief of loss be silent and alone. "Just like the work of raising children is work we do together. We must come together to let them go."
Thursday, April 19, 2012
Artist Profiles 7
Jocelyn Rahm's painting process has been an important place for her to reconcile the experience of not being able to conceive. Jocelyn feels that it connects her to her inherent ability to create in the face of not being able to create a life. Her process has provided a forum for both catharsis and possibility. Meet Jocelyn and more of her work at www.jocelynrahm.com/
Kristen Larsen, experienced unexplained recurrent miscarriage in her attempt to start a family with her husband Marc. Kristen created the Bearing Witness Art Show in an attempt to find community and understanding, build relantionships and share the healing possibilities that come with art making and sharing ones story. She is honored to be a part of this amazing collection of artists.
Rachel Rekord experienced her second pregnancy loss in 2010 in the form of an ectopic pregnancy, followed by emergency surgery. Taking a drawing class that fall helped her get out of bed on those crisp, late fall days. Drawing is also what gave Rachel an outlet this past winter after the birth of her daughter. When Rachel thinks about the losses of 2010, she is reminded of what she has today, her daughter, for which she wouldn’t trade anything, not even loss.
Kristen Larsen, experienced unexplained recurrent miscarriage in her attempt to start a family with her husband Marc. Kristen created the Bearing Witness Art Show in an attempt to find community and understanding, build relantionships and share the healing possibilities that come with art making and sharing ones story. She is honored to be a part of this amazing collection of artists.
Rachel Rekord experienced her second pregnancy loss in 2010 in the form of an ectopic pregnancy, followed by emergency surgery. Taking a drawing class that fall helped her get out of bed on those crisp, late fall days. Drawing is also what gave Rachel an outlet this past winter after the birth of her daughter. When Rachel thinks about the losses of 2010, she is reminded of what she has today, her daughter, for which she wouldn’t trade anything, not even loss.
Tuesday, April 3, 2012
Artist Profiles 6
Laurinda Reddig lost her first daughter Rowan shortly after birth. Laurinda created the Remembering Rowan Project, and designed Rowan's Crochet Sampler Afghan as a Crochet Along on her blog, encouraging others to make squares to donate locally while learning new crochet stitches. Meet Laurinda and learn more about her project and passions at http://rememberingrowan.blogspot.com/
Sally Foster Rudolph is grateful for the processes of art-making and writing as ways to cope and attempt to make sense of life. Her mixed media image represents a miscarriage she experienced. This loss is sandwiched by unbelievable luck; her two daughters. She is constantly surprised by how hardships and beauty seem to work in partnership. She is constantly surprised by how renewal can emerge from pain and loss with the help of creative expression.
Ginger Burrell is an artist and teacher.Ginger’s primary medium is artist’s books. Her work includes photography, monotype and composite imagery and explores a range of topics from the personal, to the political, to the universal.Ginger has struggled with infertility. And, like many artists, she makes art about those topics which are the hardest and the most important to explore. Meet Ginger and more of her work at http://www.gingerburrell.com/index.html
Sally Foster Rudolph is grateful for the processes of art-making and writing as ways to cope and attempt to make sense of life. Her mixed media image represents a miscarriage she experienced. This loss is sandwiched by unbelievable luck; her two daughters. She is constantly surprised by how hardships and beauty seem to work in partnership. She is constantly surprised by how renewal can emerge from pain and loss with the help of creative expression.
Ginger Burrell is an artist and teacher.Ginger’s primary medium is artist’s books. Her work includes photography, monotype and composite imagery and explores a range of topics from the personal, to the political, to the universal.Ginger has struggled with infertility. And, like many artists, she makes art about those topics which are the hardest and the most important to explore. Meet Ginger and more of her work at http://www.gingerburrell.com/index.html
Saturday, March 24, 2012
Artist Profiles 5
Dori L. is a child free woman, and she is blessed. Dori works full time as a mental health counselor and part of her role is to re-parent the wounded. Dori feels that sometimes it's not about who birthed you but instead, who took the time to listen and allow you to be yourself, and not put unreasonable expectations on you... To Dori, we all have a part in the parenting process whether we have children of our own or not.
Heather Mitchell knowingly struggled with infertility for two years before miraculously conceiving her daughter. She has since had two subsequent miscarriages. Heather feels this show will help bring closure to her grief stricken heart.
Abby Lazerow created a series of narrative figurative paintings after the illness and death of her daughter from cancer at the age of 22 months. These works record the spiritual journey of a heart torn open, exploring grief and the human spirit's relentless search for hope and meaning in the face of death.
Deb Jones Yensen is an artist and grandmother who recently lost her granddaughter shortly after birth. Deb was flooded with grief which was compounded by the fact that she had to leave her daughter, a grieving mother in Singapore and return to the states. She made artwork to interpret her feelings and to begin the healing process. Meet Deb and more of her artwork at www.debjonesyensen.com
Heather Mitchell knowingly struggled with infertility for two years before miraculously conceiving her daughter. She has since had two subsequent miscarriages. Heather feels this show will help bring closure to her grief stricken heart.
Abby Lazerow created a series of narrative figurative paintings after the illness and death of her daughter from cancer at the age of 22 months. These works record the spiritual journey of a heart torn open, exploring grief and the human spirit's relentless search for hope and meaning in the face of death.
Deb Jones Yensen is an artist and grandmother who recently lost her granddaughter shortly after birth. Deb was flooded with grief which was compounded by the fact that she had to leave her daughter, a grieving mother in Singapore and return to the states. She made artwork to interpret her feelings and to begin the healing process. Meet Deb and more of her artwork at www.debjonesyensen.com
Monday, March 12, 2012
Artist Profiles 4
Monica Wiesblott created a body of work using photography,assemblage and printmaking to symbolize her struggle with infertility and to reflect how the world is seen through her eyes. Visit Monica and her work at www.monicawiesblott.com
Marc Greenstein, a singer songwriter with a love for blues and roots Music wrote a song, "My Baby Gets Carried Away," after he and his wife experienced multiple miscarriages.
Katie Rose Alexander experienced several pregnancy losses before giving birth to her son. In her work as a doula, Katie is interested in working with women who have experienced loss and who have struggled with infertility. Meet Katie and her practice at www.rosedoula.com/
Liska McNally experienced three miscarriages before giving birth to her son this November. During her last and successful pregnancy, Liska and friends wrote a song to sing to the baby in utero, which everyone sang at the baby shower.
Marc Greenstein, a singer songwriter with a love for blues and roots Music wrote a song, "My Baby Gets Carried Away," after he and his wife experienced multiple miscarriages.
Katie Rose Alexander experienced several pregnancy losses before giving birth to her son. In her work as a doula, Katie is interested in working with women who have experienced loss and who have struggled with infertility. Meet Katie and her practice at www.rosedoula.com/
Liska McNally experienced three miscarriages before giving birth to her son this November. During her last and successful pregnancy, Liska and friends wrote a song to sing to the baby in utero, which everyone sang at the baby shower.
Thursday, March 1, 2012
Artist Profiles 3
Kate Brandy explores the art of love, life and loss in her blog, Millay's House http://fossilandgem.blogspot.com/
Al Crane has been making digitally manipulated images for twenty years. Al used this creative outlet to express his grief after the death of his first child fifteen years ago.
Renee Delight-La Torre paints stories of truth and beauty. Meet Renee and see more of her work at: http://www.rldelight.com/RLDelight/Home.html
Cassie Cowell wrote a poem for her daughter Hope; words to let her know that though life moves on, she will never be forgotten.
Al Crane has been making digitally manipulated images for twenty years. Al used this creative outlet to express his grief after the death of his first child fifteen years ago.
Renee Delight-La Torre paints stories of truth and beauty. Meet Renee and see more of her work at: http://www.rldelight.com/RLDelight/Home.html
Cassie Cowell wrote a poem for her daughter Hope; words to let her know that though life moves on, she will never be forgotten.
Tuesday, February 21, 2012
Artist Profiles 2
Dr. Michael Berman is an Obstetrician in New Haven, CT. In 1995 he started the Hygeia Foundation to help comfort individuals who have experienced pregnancy and infant loss. Michael has also written poetry about his experiences as a physician coping with loss.
http://hygeiafoundation.org/
Gayla Jeppesen found creativity after the loss of her infant daughter. She taught herself to draw to help cope and share her daughter's memory with others.
Molly Hayden is a graphic designer with a love for comics. Check out her online comic. http://www.selenography.com/lacrymer/
Melanie Gurley survived and is healing from her loss. It helps that she found a magic portal. It led her to new life, replete with son, husband and other wonders.
http://hygeiafoundation.org/
Gayla Jeppesen found creativity after the loss of her infant daughter. She taught herself to draw to help cope and share her daughter's memory with others.
Molly Hayden is a graphic designer with a love for comics. Check out her online comic. http://www.selenography.com/lacrymer/
Melanie Gurley survived and is healing from her loss. It helps that she found a magic portal. It led her to new life, replete with son, husband and other wonders.
Monday, February 13, 2012
Artist Profiles 1
Mikal Gilmore is a tattoo artist here in Portland, Oregon. Check out Mikal's Tattoo parlor and online gallery.
Nikki Mc Clure is a self-taught papercut artist from Olympia, Washington.
Lori Riesing transformed her career to work with other mothers of angel babies through emotional cellular release, bodywork and hypnotherapy.
Dawn Thompson facilitates writing workshops for women with the Portland Women Writers
Nikki Mc Clure is a self-taught papercut artist from Olympia, Washington.
Lori Riesing transformed her career to work with other mothers of angel babies through emotional cellular release, bodywork and hypnotherapy.
Dawn Thompson facilitates writing workshops for women with the Portland Women Writers
Thursday, January 5, 2012
Welcome
Chances are if you are visiting this blog, you or someone you know has experienced pregnancy loss and/ or infertility.
Losing an infant. A miscarriage. Struggling to conceive a child. These can be the most devastating experiences of a person's life, redefining their entire existence, yet they are rarely talked about in a public forum. One can go to a support group or grieve in private, yet I have found that art is a powerful way to explore emotions of grief and loss; sharing this process can be tremendous source of healing. By having an open collaboration of artists in a public setting, my hope was to create a dialogue between the ones who have suffered and the ones who may never fully understand.
This blog was created to reach indviduals who write, play music, or create visual art about pregnancy loss and infertility. Artists from all over the country were invited to submit work to the art show “Bearing Witness: Healing Pregnancy Loss and Infertility Through the Arts."
Allowing others to bear witness and honor the creativity that comes with loss can build a stronger community and create a deeper understanding of this human experience.
Please pass this along to anyone you think would benefit from learning about this creative collaboration.
Thank you.
Losing an infant. A miscarriage. Struggling to conceive a child. These can be the most devastating experiences of a person's life, redefining their entire existence, yet they are rarely talked about in a public forum. One can go to a support group or grieve in private, yet I have found that art is a powerful way to explore emotions of grief and loss; sharing this process can be tremendous source of healing. By having an open collaboration of artists in a public setting, my hope was to create a dialogue between the ones who have suffered and the ones who may never fully understand.
This blog was created to reach indviduals who write, play music, or create visual art about pregnancy loss and infertility. Artists from all over the country were invited to submit work to the art show “Bearing Witness: Healing Pregnancy Loss and Infertility Through the Arts."
Allowing others to bear witness and honor the creativity that comes with loss can build a stronger community and create a deeper understanding of this human experience.
Please pass this along to anyone you think would benefit from learning about this creative collaboration.
Thank you.
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