Local artist Antje Rook has been busy curating the exhibition, ‘The Final Journey’ – to be presented at The Royal Manor Theatre in November – that explores people’s relationship with death and dying.
It will showcase the efforts of a working group of 20 individuals that have engaged in discussions and creative activities over the past year, to unpack the emotions surrounding the rarely discussed topic.
One prompt was the assisted dying bill, which passed its second hearing in The House of Lords in September, which will allow terminally ill adults to be provided assistance to end their own life.
Ms Rook, who also co-created the Tiny Gallery, outside the Beehive, said: “I think it is still a very big taboo, talking about death. There is a culture of death in this country and it is old, but it doesn’t fit with modern life. Now we have more celebration of life.”
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On display will be a lifesize chrysalis, symbolising transformation and change, as well as musical showcases and poetry.
The work is meant to provoke thought but also invites humour and light-heartedness towards the heavy topic.
Ms Rook said: “Nobody really talks about it and a lot of people are still very frightened of dying and we discuss that in our group. We are trying to open up a conversation about dying.”
Throughout the week, there will also be support available on hand, including a talk by Shelly Daniels from the Grief Café.
Spectators can also try their hand at painting a coffin, as more people are now opting for more personalised coffins at funerals.
Ms Rook said: “I picked it up from Christchurch. At the moment it’s on my dining room table!”
The quirky idea invites people to think of death as less of a final stop but more of a journey, regardless of religious or spiritual views.
Ms Rook will also be displaying her own work, a suitcase of her life, featuring a poem that reads ‘it will not be the Grim Reaper coming to get me. It will be Mother Death, expecting me with open arms and a warm smile.’
She said: “I am one of the people that are looking forward to it. I think it will be one of the most interesting experiences. You go from everything you know.”
The exhibition runs from November 15 – 19.
