“The Artists’ Grief Deck” Explores Love and Loss

“Grief and Gifts” by Melissa Bentley asks, “What were your loved one’s superpowers?”

While an abundance of card decks have been designed to divine the future, transmit messages from oracles, or offer inspiration, fewer have been devoted to processing grief. Fortunately, a slew of artists and caregivers have collaborated to create “The Artists’ Grief Deck” — a stack of 60 uniquely designed, colorful cards that enable users to explore grief through a variety of means. Each card displays an image — ranging from abstract to portrait-like — while the back reveals a message or snippet of inspiration.

“Black-Skinned Beauty,” or “Helping Others Will Help Yourself,” explains that reaching out has wide-reaching benefits.

One card by Quycnnc Johnson, titled “Black-Skinned Beauty,” advises: “Focusing on others can be a great way to enable healing. Consider doing random acts of kindness….” Another, an emotive watercolor by Findlay Jacques, simply provides the prompt “I wish…,” while a third, “Ritual of Remembrance” by Jessica King, outlines a specific ritual that can be followed to process loss and find healing.

In “Gathering of the Stones,” Randi Beck Ocana advises collecting stones and giving each one a name “based on what you are carrying right now.”

The grief cards, now available for pre-order, were produced by Artists’ Literacies Institute in collaboration with Adriene Jenik, who in addition to being an artist is an end-of-life doula and professor at Arizona State University. The institute defines “artists’ literacies” as “a framework for artists to identify their unique ways of knowing, and apply them to meaningful contexts, such as the pursuit of social justice, environmental sustainability, or humane intervention in large and complex systems.”

“Generational Trauma” by Kristine Caswelch advises:
“Celebrate the work you have done to heal yourself.”

The institute suggests that users find or make a quiet space for themselves, gaze at the images, and contemplate an action or prompt not previously considered. It also advises the use of journals, embracing the process, intimacy with feelings, and working either alone or with a trusted partner, as well as connecting with professionals when difficult emotions arise.

“Connecting with the Ancestors” by Liliana Wilson suggests thanking and asking questions of one’s ancestors.

Those grieving a difficult loss may find the cards useful to opening new pathways or connecting with their own emotions and navigating personal challenges. For those unable to find healing or process emotions through traditional avenues such as therapy, the Artists’ Grief Deck may provide an opportunity nothing else can. As Artists’ Literacies Institute asserts, “artists know things nobody else knows, and are able to learn in ways nobody else can learn.”