Art Projects: VILOMAH: Hidden Loss & Untold Futures

Montag, 10. April 2023

VILOMAH: Hidden Loss & Untold Futures

‘Vilomah’ [vee-lo-mah] is a Sanskrit word meaning ‘against the natural order’. It is used to describe a parent who has lost a child; for which there is no word in the English language.

The loss is not only the loss of a child but also of imagined futures and family units; loss of celebrations and life experiences; loss of self through trauma, pain & grief; and in many cases loss or erosion of relationships (partners, friends, family) through extreme change and emotional strain. On top of the emotional impact on individuals, parents and families, there are many layers of societal, cultural, religious and political presumptions/pressures that heavily impact how people can process and share their experiences - bringing feelings of shame, guilt or failure.

Two works based on my own and my wife's personal experience are represented in the exhibition: Hidden Loss & Untold Futures.

The photo work “Today it would be 32” and the audiovisual work “the HEALING”

The Exhibition runs from

13th-20th April 2023

in Citizens Art Gallery, Blue House Yard

Station Road

(two minute walk from Wood Green Station (Piccadilly Line).

London, N22 7TB, UK

Opening Thursday 13^th of April 2023 at 6.30 pm

Weekdays 10-1 & 2–6 / Weekend 11-1 & 2-6

VILOMAH: Hidden Loss & Untold Futures is an exhibition exploring creative responses to emotional, social, cultural & politically-impacted experiences of pregnancy loss, baby loss & infertility.

The exhibition encompasses all forms of pregnancy/baby loss – infant loss, neonatal loss, stillbirth, termination for medical reasons, abortion, ectopic pregnancy, medical & age-related infertility.Artists are from across the world, offering works from a variety of disciplines, including painting, photography, digital art, textile, prose, poetry, video/film, multi-sensory media.

Motivations: These losses are often hidden away and experienced as a taboo subject, which can lead to a loss feeling minimized-bringing added hurt & pain. As well as a creative & expressive outlet for a difficult subject, this exhibition aims to bring awareness and shed light on the reality of how these losses are experienced across society, culture & history.

Curator: Alice Mary Williamson Jelaska

Today it would be 32

Sometimes I see a shadow in the room. A sign of our child which didn't have a chance to be born 32 years ago. 32 years is a long time, but as I said I still see sometimes I see the shadow in the room. In this years the shadow was growing up. From an unborn baby to an adult.