BYS 11/16/24 🟨 Art helps carry the burden
Art helps process loss -- of people, places, experiences, or even aspects of self.
Artwork provides a medium for reflection, healing, and honoring what’s gone. The right art can foster collective mourning, turning grief into a shared, transformative experience.
Art helps process heavy emotions in today's Big Yellow Sticky...
Art Honors What Was Lost.
When you experience loss, it can be difficult to find ways to express what you’re feeling.
Whether it’s the death of a loved one, the loss of a home, or a major life change, grief can feel overwhelming.
Art and ritual offer a way to channel heavy emotions. In Hawaii, the practice of leaving hoʻokupu (offerings) at heiau (Hawaiian temples) provides a powerful example. People bring items like leis, woven mats, or food as a way to honor ancestors and create a physical connection to those who have passed. Through these offerings they preserve memories and express respect in a way that words alone can’t capture.
Rituals also create a sense of community and provide a shared experience. When you participate in practices like hoʻokupu, you’re not mourning alone -- you’re joining others in a shared act of remembrance. This collective mourning fosters a sense of connection and makes the weight of grief more bearable.
The physical act of creating and offering something transforms your grief into a meaningful tribute, helping you to heal while keeping the memory of what was lost alive. It’s a reminder that through shared art and tradition grief becomes a communal journey toward resilience and remembrance.
See you tomorrow with a brand new Big Yellow Sticky...
