The latest event for the How We Mourn project will focus on people with memorial tattoos.

Earlier this year the project explored the role photographs play for individuals when faced with bereavement. The project’s leads, Miranda Hutton, Senior Lecturer in Photography at Canterbury Christ Church University, and Maya Mayblin, Senior Lecturer in Social Anthropology at the University of Edinburgh, are now asking for anybody with a tattoo that represents a loss or a certain memory to come along to a safe and welcoming space to share their stories of why they got their tattoo and what it means to them.

Miranda said: “Expressions of mourning beyond a funeral can often seem absent. Tattoos can represent treasured memories and can communicate that a loss has occurred, and a grief journey is unfolding.

“Maya and I are interested in hearing these stories, recording them orally and photographically. I will also offer to take portraits of participants in the canterbury Christ Church University photo studios. All we are asking is for people to come along and talk to us and if possible, bring in a photo or significant object which inspired their tattoo.”

Grief Journeys and Tattoo Stories takes place on Saturday 15 October in the Daphne Oram Building, Canterbury Christ Church University, North Holmes Road, Canterbury CT1 1QU, between 11am to 4pm.

To find out more about the event or to book a place contact: jen.leighton@canterbury.ac.uk

To find out more about the project visit the website.

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