They are Loved - An Epidemic of Grief
Tracey-Mae Chambers
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Call to others who have lost someone to drug
poisoning in Canada. Grief is a part of the human experience. Disenfranchised grief can be described as grief over a loss that is not socially supported, such as loss that is not recognized by society, when the grieving person themselves is marginalized due to addiction or mental health concerns. My goal as a grieving mother and an artist is to raise awareness about the number of people lost across Canada and illustrate in a physical way that every one of these people were loved. This project, although grown from one mother’s loss, has developed into a project that over time will represent hundreds of lost loved ones. Each piece of clothing, or other textile based material used in this installation has been donated by someone who is surviving the loss of someone due to the consumption of a harmful substance that resulted in death. The donated textile is cut up into strips and tied to the others binding the pain of our families together. If loved ones want to participate and do not have a textile, that is ok as I have been collecting many into a database I can share and they can pick one to commemorate their loved one. I am sad to say that this project will likely continue to grow in size and scale unless we help those in need of mental health support. Hugs from my broken momma’s heart to you. 
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About the Artist
Tracey-Mae Chambers
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Métis artist Tracey-Mae Chambers explores identity and belonging. Her #hopeandhealingcanada fibre art project has installed over 180 works across Canada with a mission is to foster dialogue for decolonization and reconciliation between Indigenous and non-Indigenous peoples. As an Artist in Residence at Harbourfront Centre from September 2024 to August 2027, she is developing They Are Loved - An Epidemic of Grief, a powerful response to the opioid crisis. "I am sad to say that this project will likely continue to grow in size and scale unless we deal with the lack of help for those in the grip of the disease of addiction." ~ Tracey-Mae Chambers
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