About

The Grief Gallery is a space to explore loss and letting go. Death and grief. Life and living. Founded by grief coach and curator Charlene Lam, who speaks, writes, delivers workshops, and produces exhibitions online and in-person about grief and loss. 

Why a grief gallery? Answer #1

When I was faced with the difficult task of clearing out my mom’s 3,000 square foot house after she died, my curatorial instincts kicked in. I asked myself:

“If I was to curate an exhibition about my mother, which 100 objects would I choose?”

That question would get me through that arduous process and eventually lead to the pop-up exhibition Proof of Life in Clerkenwell, London. This online grief gallery is a continuation of that practice of putting grief and its ephemera on display, as an invitation for people to think about and talk about their own experiences with grief and loss.

Why a grief gallery? Answer #2

The Power of the Plinth. As an independent curator, art lover and gallery goer, I’ve always been fascinated by what a difference a plinth makes. 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.

Why a grief gallery? Answer #3

Art has the power to connect personal experience with universal experiences. Everyone will experience death and loss at some point in their lives. It is personal. It is universal. Let’s embrace art and design and their ability to connect people (with themselves and others).

Want the story behind The Grief Gallery? Watch a 4min excerpt from my signature talk Curating Grief, or watch the full talk (14min).

How else do you work with grief?

That question — “If I was to curate an exhibition about my mother, which 100 objects would I choose?” — was the key to completing the onerous task of emptying her house.

It also unlocked the Curating Grief framework that guided me through my own grief journey and that I use in my grief coaching practice to help me guide others on theirs. Interested in learning more about grief coaching? Book a complimentary call with me, or get in touch via email.

And thanks for visiting!

– Charlene Lam, Curator and Certified Grief Coach

Get in touch: hello [at] thegriefgallery.com