When Words Hurt:
an exhibition on loss

For many of us, talking about loss is an incredibly painful and difficult thing. It takes strength and courage to describe how you are feeling after a bereavement, and all too often, we avoid the conversation because we can’t find the right words.

When Words Hurt is an exhibition Let’s Talk About Loss hosted in 2019 to explore creative ways of communicating grief. The famous saying goes, “a picture tells a thousand words”, and instead of asking people to describe grief with words, we asked for creative submissions for the exhibition.

The exhibition details

We won funding for this innovative, cutting-edge exhibition in October 2018, from Nottingham based arts fund Hard Heads and Hang Ups and #NottsSoup. 

They called for ideas that improved people’s mental health using the arts, and we were thrilled to win the money to host and manage this exhibition at THiNK in NG, a Nottingham city centre event space. 

The exhibition was hosted between Monday 13 May and Sunday 16 June 2019.

“Beautiful! All the difference expressions, emotions and artforms. So grateful for the opportunity to see this exhibition. Especially proud of my niece for exhibiting. This exhibition stirs emotions I’ve successfully been hiding till now!”
“What a thought provoking and beautiful exhibition highlighting our shared connection as human beings navigating our way through loss. I hope it encourages people to talk and know that they are not alone. We are all in this together. Thank you for making me pause and reflect – not just on what is lost but also what remains.”
“Thank you for organising such an incredible exhibition. It is very inspiring and touching being in a room of people and creative work linked to grief. Because of this opportunity, I have been able to express and share my grief for the first time. This means a lot.”
“One year ago today we were celebrating my daughter’s success at her Fine Art degree show at Loughborough University. Today we are visiting your exhibition with her twin sister as we lost her in a car accident last October. We are experiencing all the thoughts and feelings expressed by the exhibitors. In a way it is good to know that we are not alone in our grief whilst not wishing this awful situation on anyone. Art is a great way to express emotions and I think having the opportunity to share these artworks is really helpful. Thank you.”
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Our wonderful location and supporters

#NottsSoup is organised by THiNK in NG and provides opportunities for people with good ideas to pitch for funding from an audience who pays a fiver for donated soup: www.thinkinng.org

Lubrizol Hazelwood proudly support the Hard Heads and Hang Ups and #NottsSoup: www.lubrizol.com