In May 2022, Up Front Art Space presented Still, Life: A Photographic Journey Through Grief by Akron artist Sarah Treanor. The artist created this self portrait series in response to the sudden death of her fiancé in 2012. Now ten years after his death, she is debuting the work as an exhibition for the first time.

Still, Life examines the experience of grief: acknowledging the reality of pain as well as the determination to create a still beautiful life after loss. Treanor expresses her story through mysterious, otherworldly narratives - using metaphor and symbolism to capture common themes of loss. The exhibit will feature 20 of the original 40 black and white photographs from the series - the most extensive showing of her work to date. Accompanying the photography will be excerpts of Treanor’s original journal entries from the time - revealing a deeply personal, layered experience of grief and healing through creative expression.

By exploring her own grief so openly, Treanor makes room for others to experience their grief in new and different ways. Still, Life creates space not only to better understand loss, but also to better appreciate life.

A portion of the sales from this show will go to The Grief Care Place, a Northeast Ohio area grief support organization providing support to those grieving at no cost.

Still, Life runs from March 26th to April 24th, 2022.

Images from the Opening Reception:

Virtual Art Reception via Livestream:

Donors:

Funding for this exhibition has been made possible by The Puffin Foundation, Ltd. and the following private donors. Thank you ALL for helping me make this happen!