WELCOME
The Grief Gallery
GRIEF AND LOSS EXPLORED THROUGH ART AND DESIGN
CURATOR, CHARLENE LAM
WELCOME TO
The Grief Gallery
LATEST EXHIBITION
Curating Grief Pop-Up
PART OF THE LONDON DESIGN FESTIVAL
September 2022
London, UK and Online
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As part of the 20th edition of the London Design Festival, The Grief Gallery presents the Curating Grief pop-up in the Shoreditch Design Triangle.
This installation of The Grief Gallery features curator and grief coach Charlene Lam taking to the streets of East London with a travelling exhibition plinth. We welcome visitors to acknowledge personal and collective losses through the contemplation and celebration of objects: the ones left by people we’ve lost and kept by those left behind.
Festival visitors visitors and the community were invited to share their stories and to add a cherished object to The Grief Gallery’s collection, either in-person in Shoreditch where the item can be photographed and recorded, or virtually at the online gallery wall at www.thegriefgallery.com
Where: Arnold Circus bandstand, E2 7JS, Shoreditch, East London
Opening Times: Thu 22nd – Sun 25th September, 12-3pm
How to Take Part: Reserve a time to meet with curator Charlene Lam in-person in Shoreditch. Alternatively, you’re welcome to just show up!
Additional times around the Shoreditch neighborhood by whim and by appointment, to be announced here and on Instagram @curating_grief
Arnold Circus
Arnold Circus, and its surrounding public gardens, is a leafy oasis and a place of solace for many in the neighbourhood. When I lived in Shoreditch, I spent a lot of time wandering the streets that radiate out from the roundabout, and especially after my mother died, just sitting on its benches, soaking in the quiet and greenery.
The bandstand is perched on a hill built from the remains of a notorious Victorian slum torn down to build the UK’s first social housing, the Boundary Estate. That vision of building on ruins is yet another reason I’m drawn to this spot as a location for healing and connection.
The Boundary Gardens and Arnold Circus are maintained by the amazing volunteers at The Friends of Arnold Circus. Check out their site to learn more about the history, and consider donating to support their good work!
The Gallery Plinth
As an independent curator, art lover and gallery goer, I’ve always been fascinated by what a difference a plinth makes. In a gallery, it’s the display pedestal or box that artwork is placed on.
Putting an object on a plinth elevates it — literally and figuratively. People see the object differently. It’s been deemed important — by someone. Well, the people we lost and their associated objects and stories are important — to us. They deserve at least a moment on the proverbial plinth.
OPEN CALL
Contribute to
The Grief Gallery’s Collection
Online
What objects and belongings did you keep after a loved one died?
Contribute your selected object and stories to The Grief Gallery’s online collection (ongoing).
JOIN US LIVE
The Grief Gallery monthly gathering
Wednesday Oct 26th , 2pm ET (NYC) / 7pm UK time
Can’t join us live in London? Meet up with curator Charlene Lam at our monthly grief gathering.
Register to attend: https://bit.ly/monthly-grief-gathering
Part of the Reimagine End of Life Event Calendar
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GRIEF COACHING
Do you need help?
Need help with grief, or know someone who does?
Learn more about grief coaching and find resources from certified grief coach Charlene Lam.
Visit www.charlenelam.com
PREVIOUS EXHIBITIONS
She Was Asian American
Part of NYCxDESIGN, May 2022
Featuring photographs, belongings and stories of Asian American women, including the curator’s Chinese-American mother and other family members
The Grief Gallery at DesignTO
During Toronto’s annual design festival, The Grief Gallery welcomed visitors to acknowledge personal and collective losses through the contemplation and celebration of objects: the belongings of loved ones lost.
WHAT THE CAMERA CAPTURES
An online exhibition exploring the role of the camera in processing grief and loss during New York City’s annual design festival. Three New York creatives who have lost loved ones share their photography-based projects.
The Grief Gallery at LDF21
Visitors are invited to explore these universal themes through creative work commissioned in memory of loved ones.
CURATOR’S NOTE
Why a Grief Gallery?
When my mom died 9 years ago, I was working as an independent curator in London. My pop-up exhibitions showcased the work of designers, makers and artists, under the names Creative Clerkenwell and The Creative Edit.
When it came time to pick out an urn for my mom’s ashes, I commissioned a custom porcelain urn from an East London ceramicist whose work I loved.
That was the start of my work as a Grief Curator. Over the years, I’ve commissioned illustrations, paper art and photoshoots in memory of my mom and others’ loved ones. I’ve presented exhibitions in London and Brooklyn about grief and loss.
Channeling my grief into creating and commissioning work from designers and makers has been an incredibly rewarding and healing experience.
After an extended period of grief and loss on many levels, I invite visitors to explore the universal themes of grief and loss through this creative lens. Out of darkness and pain, we can craft beauty and create meaning.
– Charlene Lam, Curator and Founder, The Grief Gallery
hello@thegriefgallery.com
ABOUT
Why a grief gallery? Learn More
The Grief Gallery was founded by curator and grief coach Charlene Lam.
Interested in learning more about grief coaching? Get in touch to book a complimentary 30min call.
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CONTACT
hello@thegriefgallery.com
EXHIBITIONS
Latest Exhibition: Curating Grief Pop-Up, London Design Festival 2022
Previous Exhibitions:
She Was Asian American, NYCxDESIGN, May 2022
The Grief Gallery at DesignTO, Jan 2022
The Grief Gallery at NYCxDESIGN, Nov 11-18
The Grief Gallery, London Design Festival 2021
EVENTS
Join us for The Grief Gallery's monthly grief gathering the last Wednesday of the month.