Hospice delves into ‘Unspoken Conversation’ around death and loss with special art exhibition at Pardon Mill

A special collaboration between St Clare Hospice and Parndon Mill to encourage people to talk about death, dying and loss has culminated in an exhibition of thought-provoking artwork that will be on public display until Sunday November 10.

Around 130 adults and children from 13 nationalities took part in a series of 18 artist-led workshops for The Unspoken Conversation initiative held during the summer. People from ethnically diverse communities in Harlow were invited to explore their personal and cultural responses to these profound topics.

The result is an inspiring collection of artwork in a variety of mediums that is currently being exhibited in the Gallery at Parndon Mill in Pardon Mill Lane.

Funded by Hospice UK through its Dying Matters Community Grants Programme, the project aimed to overcome cultural barriers, increase community engagement with hospice services and foster deeper discussions about death and loss.

Sushma Dhami, from St Clare’s Patient and Family Support Team, which led The Unspoken Conversation project, said: “From stunning glasswork and beautiful life drawings, to delicate needlework and a spectacular papier mache butterfly installation, we have been blown away by the creativity that has flowed from those who participated in this initiative project.

“Talking about death and dying can be scary and difficult, and is a topic so many of us try to avoid. But through the creative outlet that The Unspoken Conversation has provided, we have been able to give people the opportunity to express their hopes, fears, regrets and so much more through many hours of dialogue and cultural exchange.

“Supporting people to begin having these sorts of conversations is incredibly important and we’d like to thank Parndon Mill and Hospice UK for helping make this possible.

“We hope people will come and view the exhibition, and continue the narrative by starting to have their own conversations on what is such an important subject for us all.”

The exhibition is open from 10.30am-4.30pm Tuesday-Friday, and 2pm-4pm on Saturdays and Sundays.

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