Repairing things to help with grieving: An art therapist’s journey through grief and the use of repair to mend the self

Can the journey of a grieving person be helped by the creativity and physicality of the visible repair of objects that have emotional significance?

This in-person talk will follow a personal journey of art therapist Vicky Cutler in her quest to use the creativity of visibly repairing objects that had close personal connection to her partner. Vicky used the repair, care, amendment and preservation of her deceased partner’s clothing and objects to look at how this process can mirror the experiences of her grief.

She found that the metaphor and creativity of mending provided a mental space that was helpful in restoring her sense of self. Vicky found a safe place that provided understanding of how emotional connection with her deceased partner could still be honoured and seen by others.

Vicky will bring along her repairs to the talk and invites any attendees, if they wish, to bring an object that has emotional connection that they feel safe to talk about in discussion.

The Forum will start at 6.15pm, with tea and cake available from 6.00pm. The Forum will be held at the Adult Education College, Belvoir Street, Leicester. 

About the Presenter

Vicky Cutler is an Anglo-Australian art therapist, textile artist and writer. She writes the blog Re_paire and you can see her creative work and repairs on Instagram https://www.instagram.com/re_paire/ .

Image: Repaired shirt by Vicky Cutler (Photo: Vicky Cutler)