Annie Bolitho

I feel full of heart - my book 'Artworking, honouring tremendous loss' will soon be out.

... an intimate and compelling book, a tender celebration of the power of creativity, that guides the reader using story, ideas, poetry and place-based experiments to show the way making art can provide nourishment in even the bleakest moments. Enza Gandolfo, textile artist and writer

Artworking weaves together experiences of place, the pain of personal and socio-political upheaval and the power of making in the context of grief, loss and healing. 

I'm available if you have any questions.

Artworking, where grief and loss and creativity intersect

'Artworking' refers to the value of making and creating in the wake of loss. I take the concept from the writer, Griselda Pollock, who speaks of artworking as finding a place between life affirmation and fragility. I have set out to find that place in this book.

Tremendous loss

I chose the words tremendous loss for the way loss feels, and to step outside of well-known terminology. The scale of different people's experience can never be compared, each person's tremendous loss is unique. At the same time, the book highlights the particular experience of sudden, unexpected loss, drawing on my personal and professional experience. 

Comfort and relief from suffering

It matters to me that anyone suffering finds comfort and relief. I want to offer the same comfort and inspiration that I've found in the work of wonderful artists and writers. I love how novelist Miriam Toews says that we bring people [who have died] with us. She says that pain must end. In Artworking I invoke the power of  a conversation that 'moves us to think and be less afraid of the various things that are haunting us.' 

I'm hoping you can help me to comfort people who have been hit by loss. To inspire anyone to find solace in creativity following loss, be it gardening, drawing, playing music, writing poetry or any other way they express themselves. It feels worthwhile to me to re-inspire those who feel isolated or have lost their mojo in the wake of loss.

I'm at it again :) Seeking your help to bring a life project to fruition!

Yes - another special chapter in my life and work. I'm calling on my people in Melbourne and beyond to come together around publishing this unique book. As well as the difference it will make to readers, Artworking is going to help me to enlarge the scope of my workshop and public speaking activities. In short, a book attracts interest in what the writer has to offer! Over the next year or two I'd like to get regular opportunities to provide creative engagement with this important topic.

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More kind words about my book have arrived!!

Annie Bolitho's book navigates the complex territories of grief with sensitivity toward the historical and current landscapes of colonisation, political violence, climate change, diversity, marginalisation and migration. She weaves the fabric of her account from friendships, art, writing, philosophy and everyday interactions with the humans and 'earth others' she loves and re-members. Assoc Prof Sheridan Linnell, lead Art Therapy, University of Western Sydney.

How can you help?

So how can you help? I’ve kept it simple:

#1 Pre-order 

#2 Donate!  choose the right reward for you.

#3 Spread the word

I think we all know someone who has experienced tremendous loss and is hurting, and perhaps someone who finds nourishment in the practice and language of art ... please share about Artworking wherever you are active online.

I’ve spent four years writing this book and thanks for helping me wrap it up, tied with a ribbon, edited, illustrated, printed and ready to read! Anything you'd like to discuss, contact me.

Use of funds

4,500 target

Expenses

Editing and book design: 4,000

Printing: 4,500

Launch: 250

Total: 8,750

Minus income

From pre-orders in this campaign 4,200 (120)

A 'stretch target will come in if I reach $4500!

Any funds over and above this goal will be used for administration - getting books into bookshops, sending books out and following up opportunities for writer’s talks. Appreciatively, Annie