In 2025, we were commissioned by the University of York’s Philosophy Department to produce a collection of images to raise awareness of their Grief Survey: a rich, searchable database of first-person testimonies of grief gathered through an online qualitative survey. You can see the work we created here.
Since then, the university has asked us to commission five other artists to produce work inspired by the Grief Survey. Each artist - all Projecting Grief sitters - were given a selection of quotations taken from the survey and asked to respond to them in whatever medium they choose.
The work created will be exhibited during Dying Matters Week at Thin Ice Press in York. We will also be hosting a free creative workshop with embroidery and textile artist Hayley Mills-Styles on Wednesday 6 May and a talk for invited guests. See links below to join.
Thin Ice Press, Peasholme Green, York, YO1 7PW
Mondays: 10.00-17.00
Tuesdays: Closed
Wednesdays: Closed
Thursdays: 13.00-20.00
Fridays: 10.00-17.00
Saturdays: 10.00-17.00
Sundays: 10.00-17.00
Please join us for drinks and nibbles at our opening event from 3-5pm on Sunday 3 May!
Picturing Grief Exhibition: Reflective Workshop
Wednesday 6 May from 10 am to 12 pm
An opportunity for grief professionals to explore overlooked aspects of the experience of grief, guided by the exhibition.
This workshop will bring together professionals whose work involves grief. It will provide a quiet space to reflect on poorly understood aspects of the experience of grief, guided by the exhibition and quotes from the grief survey.
Click the link above to book a free ticket.
Picturing Grief Exhibition Talk 1
Wednesday 6 May from 1 pm to 2 pm
Picturing Grief Exhibition Talk 2
Wednesday May 6 from 2 pm to 3 pm
Attend the exhibition outside of public opening hours, and hear from some of the artists involved.
The Picturing Grief exhibition is a collaboration between the University of York and Projecting Grief.
In this exhibition talk Jo Ritchie and Laura McDonagh from Picturing Grief will explain the background to the exhibition and explore the role of artists in communicating and drawing attention to aspects of the experience of grief that can be overlooked and difficult to express.
Click the link above to book a free ticket.
Grief Has Many Voices: Hand Embroidery Workshop
Wednesday 6 May from 5 pm to 7 pm
Join textile artist Hayley Mills-Styles for this workshop and create a hand embroidered response to the University of York grief survey.
Hayley will show you how to use fabric and thread to share a story using collected responses from the university’s grief survey. Learn how to create a design using text and images and use a range of hand embroidery stitches to create a unique embroidered design. You will use six stranded embroidery threads and a variety of hand embroidery stitches to build your design.
All materials and equipment are included. However, if you have a basic sewing kit with your favourite tools you are welcome to bring this along.
This class is suitable for complete beginners or people who haven’t embroidered for a while and would like to refine their skills.
Click the link above to book a free ticket.