Departure

Wire, polystyrene foam, acrylic paint, glue & meal worms, 90 x 90 cm, Artist’s Collection

Before I reach my destination,
I prepare for my journey

This is the first piece in the project ‘Vanishing Point’ that I started in 2019. Unaware how to process grief and overwhelmed with unknown emotions, I struggled to get to know it. Grief, challenged by an understanding of mortality in general, and mine in particular. The boundaries of the enrooted fear of death were pushed and expanded. It brought serenity and hopefulness, helped me deal with death anxiety, and look at it with hope. It helped me observe it as a continual journey, and to speak about ways we prepare for the end. I was drawn to objects symbolizing decay and darkness, and assembled the sculpture in a suitcase—safe and ready for the final departure.