Altrincham art exhibition celebrates artwork inspired by loss

Running from Monday, April 24 to Saturday, May 20, the exhibition provides a platform for people to share their art, with organisers hoping it will inspire others to use creativity to help them following a loss or bereavement. 

It has been organised by Sara and Jez Fixter of independent funeral directors Full Circle Funeral Partners in Altrincham, with pop up exhibitions taking place at Altrincham Library, The Counselling and Family Centre, Altrincham and St Peter’s Church Hale, all of which will be open to the public.

There will also be a display for students and staff at the Altrincham campus of Trafford College.

Sara said: "Everyone experiences loss in a different way and the emotions felt can be wide-ranging and sometimes challenging.

"Many people that we have supported have told us that creativity has really helped their wellbeing after loss, whatever form that might take.

"For some people this is a very private way of expressing emotion whereas others are keen to share their art to inspire others to use creativity to support them after loss or bereavement."

One artist whose work wis featured is Mancunian Anthony Marn, who began painting scenes that reminded him of his parents he lost to suicide when he was a child.

As a teenager, he began to paint to express his feelings of grief, which has made for moving pieces of artwork.

Anthony said: "Painting has helped me remember things I had never wanted to think about, things that were locked away inside me.

My Father's Workshop by Anthony Marn (Image: Jenni Moulson PR)

"The emotional response people have to my work and the connection it inspires in them has been overwhelming to see."

Alongside these pop-up events, Sara and Jez have collaborated with the Inch Arts charity to run a special exhibition of original artwork on the same theme at Inch Arts from May 5 to 20.