Love & Loss
The artwork starts with extract from Brown’s journals dealing with her experiences over sixteen years of working with people who face the reality of death every day, living with terminal cancer. Their stories express despair, hopelessness, anger, worry for the people left behind, and surprising currents of joy and peace.
60x81cm. Pastel, graphite and charcoal on paper.
There can be beauty in death.
Expansion into time.
Space to listen and really hear others.
To find joy in, or despite, suffering.
60x81cm. Pastel and India ink on paper.
The bird that brings secrets from shadows.
A shift in consciousness.
Magic.
244cm x 122cm. Pastel, charcoal and aerosol spray paint on wood.
Baobab, the tree that houses the spirits of the ancestors.
244cm x 122cm. Pastel, charcoal and aerosol spray paint on wood.
What is my parachute?
My shock absorber?
Nature. The universe.
Nature supports me.
60x81cm. Pastel on paper.
That sensation of vertigo.
That sensation that there are no edges.
That thump in the heart.
The ultimate feeling of letting go.
60x81cm. Pastel and acrylic paint on paper.
When young people know they are dying, they lose their dreams. They are forced to give up their expectations, grieve the loss of the life they thought they’d have.
Letting Go…
… of a family
25cm x 25cm. Printing ink and acrylic on paper.
… of a lover
25cm x 25cm. Printing ink and acrylic on paper.
… of a sister
25cm x 25cm. Printing ink and acrylic on paper.
I feel hopeful that I can create space. I feel hopeful that I won’t become overwhelmed.
I feel hopeful that healing will take place.
60x81cm. Coloured pencil on paper.
How are pain and joy connected?
How does experiencing deep suffering
increase our ability to feel great joy?
60x81cm. Photo transfer and coloured pencil on birch panel.
Don’t let my death ruin your life. If I am not physically with you, my love will be forever in your heart. Remember this.
60x81cm. Photo transfer and coloured pencil on paper.
My self smashes into your life.
I am a shell.
An echo chamber.
60x81cm. Photo transfer and coloured pencil on birch panel.
Did I do something wrong? Will it hurt?
Who’s going to look after me?
Can she still see me when she’s gone?
60x81cm. Photo transfer and coloured pencil on paper.
Love & Loss
A collaboration
Art by Ramune Luminaire
Words by Jocelyn Brown
64 pages, $20 plus p&p
All profit from the sale of the book supports bereaved children through Camp Erin, Toronto.
