THE BARDO ∞ PROJECT explores creativity as a form of spiritual care in collaborations with terminally ill artists and creatives nationwide to establish their legacy, and facilitate mind and body integration. I present relics from these journeys to illuminate the positive effects of art, and educate the public about end of life care options. Western society avoids confronting death. We are conditioned to treat people with terminal diagnoses in a fragile manner and not as themselves. I collaborate with dying artists to make their lives vibrant, and facilitate legacy projects to celebrate their life’s work. I document the process and present works by my collaborators. “Bardo” is the Tibetan word for the transitional existence between death and rebirth. Living with life-limiting illness and the dying process are similarly "in between" states and are opportunity for introspection and honesty.
As artistic collaborator I assist the dying to arrive at peace and acceptance within a short time frame, making their portrait, conduct interviews, and aid them in defining their creative legacy via unique and collaborative works. I travel nationwide to work with these individuals in person and virtually. The artists and their estate donate one work to the project’s permanent collection to continue to be exhibited beyond their lifespan, keeping their memory alive. Public facing arts programming allows viewers to engage with mortality, beauty and creativity, and includes advocacy and education on end of life care planning.
