Contest seeks to use art to represent attitude to death
THERE is an opportunity for two entrants to create a piece of art representing their personal attitude towards death as part of Going Out with the Tide Festival.
The festival was launched in 2018 following on from Dying Matters Awareness Week, a national initiative, and is run by a group of islanders who feel that death, dying and bereavement are things that islanders are ‘pretty rubbish’ at talking about.
As part of this festival, the Guernsey Arts Commission is working in partnership with Health & Social Care to offer the opportunity for two creatives to respond to the title of the festival.
Community health and wellbeing service manager Karen Leach said: ‘Thinking about and talking about our own death and the people we care about dying can be scary, sometimes painful and uncomfortable, but also helps us appreciate what we have, and is thought-provoking and utterly joyful at others.
‘One thing is for sure, it feels better having this conversation together in the open.
‘We all have known someone who has died, someone who has been bereaved and someone who will miss us when we’re gone.
‘And yet, nearly all of us struggle with thinking about, planning and talking about death. Especially with the people we love the most.’
Entries can be in any 2D visual format, be it photography, painting, drawing or other art forms.
The two winners will each receive £500 funded by Guernsey Arts Commission and their artwork will be displayed, on a 9ft by 12ft structure, on Market Terrace for Dying Matters Week next month.
Russ Fossey, head of arts development at the Guernsey Arts Commission, said: ‘We are delighted to be partnering with HSC on this project.
‘The arts can bring a perspective on the topic which makes it easier for many of us to engage with.’
HSC culture, arts and health manager Lottie Barnes said: ‘This project is a great example of working in partnership to support our community to hold a potentially difficult conversation. It also highlights the important role of the arts within health. We are really looking forward to seeing the submissions.’
About the art project
. It is open to students, professional and non-professional artists/creatives.
. The artwork will need to be in the ratio for the structure, 9 high x 12 wide.
. If the artwork is not digital, the organisers can scan it.
. If submitting a photograph, entrants need to make sure it is of a high enough resolution to be blown up to the scale of the structure.
. Please submit a written explanation of what Going Out With the Tide means to you and your response to it. This will accompany your artwork should it be chosen.
. All candidates are invited to research the Dying Matters campaign, www.dyingmatters.org
. The deadline for submission is Friday and selected entries will be informed on Monday. Selected artwork will go to print on Monday 6 May.
. For further information and to apply, contact Ms Barnes at lottie.barnes@gov.gg.
. Large files will need to be emailed via WeTransfer. Alternatively, they can be dropped off at the porters’ lodge at the PEH marked for the attention of Lottie Barnes.
