Remembering lost loved ones at Christmas
The Atkins Gallery in Hinckley has installed a Coronavirus Christmas Remembrance Tree where people can hang an ornament to represent and remember someone they have lost to COVID-19.
From Wednesday 1 December, anyone is invited to bring in a bauble either purchased or handmade to hang on the tree in remembrance. Also available are pre-cut plain wooden decorations for people to decorate with the name of their loved one which can be collected from the reception at Atkins Building.
The Christmas tree is a sustainable real tree which is being rented from local business ‘Love a Christmas Tree’ who will collect the tree in the New Year and return it to the ground at their farm in Kirkby Mallory.
The tree accompanies the gallery’s latest exhibition called Journey. Journey is a collaborative exhibition led by trainee art therapist Lyni Sargent, from Hinckley exploring the topic of human emotions and how art can be used to process the events of life. Lyni was motivated to create the exhibition after the passing of her father.
Lyni explained:
As a trainee art therapist, I found that connecting with nature and engaging with art making helped me through the difficulty of losing my dad. My dad was my hero, and I certainly wasn’t ready to lose him, but reflecting on his life, and our time together, reminded me of the happy life, and the special bond that we had.
I created so much art, and I felt that others would benefit from witnessing my journey of grief so, I got together with other artists and together we have created the exhibition.
The Hinckley based collaborative of: Lyni Sargent, James Cuttiford, Josh Warren, Carl Sargent, Molly and Felicity Sargent are exploring journeys of grief, recovery, dyslexia, personal growth, nature and more. Journey will guide the viewers through moments of the artists’ lives with the intent to provoke emotion and understanding and give a real sense of the individuals’ highs and lows.
Journey opens on Wednesday 1 December and is open Monday to Friday 9am to 5pm plus there will be an opportunity to meet the artists on Saturday 4 December between 12 noon and 4pm.
Councillor Keith Nichols, Executive Member for Culture at the Borough Council said:
I hope the remembrance tree will being some comfort to those who have lost a loved one. At the same time I would encourage everyone to view the Gallery’s latest exhibition which highlights how art can support grief and other human emotions.
To contact the Atkins Gallery, tel. 01455 247070 or email info@atkinsbuilding.co.uk
More information on Starleng art therapy (linktr.ee)
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