Life - Becoming Me

"Recently, I was invited to participate in an exhibition titled "Life." The word alone made my head spin..."

What is Life, Really?

The exhibition’s title, Life, opened lots of thoughts and emotions. Grief, identity, memory, history... and the fundamental question: Who are we really?

For me, this was not just a theme to explore artistically. It was and is deeply personal to me.

I lost my beloved husband Bo not long ago, and with my children now grown and building their own lives, I’ve find myself at a sharp turning point.

A Glimpse into the Past

Childhood drawing with felt pen.

While going through old belongings, I found a small folder of childhood drawings my mother had kept. Naive, colourful and spontaneous. They were full of imagination, each one a little story I had told myself as I drew them as a child. Revisiting them was like stepping into a time capsule. Discovering a forgotten language of expression.

History in the Blood

I've always been drawn to history, especially family history. Old photographs, yellowed paper, quiet faces from the past. As a child, I was captivated by these people who looked so different, yet were undeniably part of me. Their lives, their choices, and their joys and sorrows. I am aware they all shaped who I’ve become.

My great grandparents

The Project: Becoming Me

This new body of work I’ve titled "Life – Becoming Me".

Using my childhood drawings as a foundation, I have created nine small oil paintings.

I chose the colour Scarlet Lake, a rich, bold red that for me symbolises love, loss,

blood and passion.

The colour has become the thread connecting each piece, a kind of visual DNA.

Oil on canvas 20cm x 25cm Title: Robotic walk

Towards Clarity and Sincerity

Through this work, I hope to gain deeper clarity on my own life. Where I’ve come from. Who I’ve become. And where I want to go.

This is more than an art project. It's a visual memoir a personal archive. It's a way of reclaiming my voice and space as a woman nearing 60, stepping into the next chapter of my life with intention and honesty.

Closing Reflection

The invitation to explore "Life" came at just the right moment.

Though I carry grief and change, I also carry hope and curiosity.

I’m determined to make this third stage of life my own.

I want to be able to look back one day and say,

“What a wonderful journey I had.”

Marianne Frank