POBA is more than a collection of portfolios; it is a digital monument that celebrates and stores the artistic legacies of those who are no longer with us. Those who have passed have left behind profound parts of themselves, many through their artistic expressions. Recording and preserving their legacies not only honors them, but can provide grievers with an opportunity to process, remember, and celebrate a whole life lived.
Death does not end relationships. Often, they continue to be deeply important, and evolving. One way to celebrate such connections is through “memorial” objects that were cherished by the deceased in life. Heirlooms are able to reignite these connections by bringing a physical realness to a relationship that now exists primarily in minds and memories.
In this regard, artwork becomes a special and unique heirloom. Unlike other belongings, creative projects capture the soul of their creators. For this reason, such heirlooms have a deeper capacity to connect people to their loved ones. Art is one of the most profound means of personal expression, and artworks embody the intimacy of the process.
Physical artistic creations left behind by the departed are able to provide a window into their lives. Their artwork gives the gift of a glimpse into their mind and their world. After loss, these heirlooms provide a tangible receptacle for understanding, grief, and acceptance. Perhaps more than any other possession, these creations hold the ability to keep a soul alive, because they provide endless opportunities to spend time with, continue to learn from, and celebrate those who have passed.
One of the ways people may honor their deceased loved ones is by creating an online memorial for their artwork on POBA. Though the process of revisiting, collating, and cataloging work can be painful, it can be cathartic – and this is not a task one has to take on alone. At POBA, we can assist with organizing, digitizing, and displaying these works on our website. The act of recording and caring for work sometimes soothes that urgent need to act which so often accompanies grief. Oftentimes family members and friends left behind may find that they themselves are a part of that legacy. The process also allows those grieving the opportunity to revisit old versions of lost loved ones, and maybe even learn about parts of them that may have been missed during their life.
One of the most beautiful elements of cataloguing and presenting the work of someone who has passed is the gained ability to share it. Sharing such artwork allows others to connect with an old friend or loved one, and may even allow others to meet the deceased for the first time. Although the responsibility of carrying such a legacy can be daunting, it is also a privilege. To carry these stories, works, and memories and to share those with others is one way to appreciate and cherish a relationship that is still very real.
by Tara Peckham, a POBA artist in the early stages of her career
Painting is ‘Pain Attack’ from the Portfolio of Elizabeth Fairgrieve, whose presenter husband described his grieving and connecting process here