Bernice Wilson: Artist

site design: bernice bilson

site updated oct 2013


"the beach"	"candles"

"dancing"	"the forest"
C-type Digital Prints, 22.5cm x 50cm In order to say a final farewell to my mum, I set out to do art work to commemorate her life. I chose two mediums, painting (see 1881 (Part ii)) and photography. It made sense to help me deal with my loss and grief to find ways in which to remember her by and in some way immortalise her. This series of photographs were taken "on location", the sites were chosen because of specific memories they conjure up, that define special warmth held by and for my mother. The dress is one that she gave to me months before she left us, it was one she had worn when her life-long dream had come true for a recent birthday – to go on a grand cruise (the QE2) – and it still retains poignant memories for me. I wanted to take her back just one last time to experience her favourite places, to believe that wherever she was now, she’d surely be able to enjoy these now and always. To say farewell, so long and adios. I know she enjoyed these reminisces as did I.
I am totally indebted to family and friends who helped me through this difficult time. With special thanks to the following: My friend Eloise Ansell, who came with me and acted as my assistant and rock, for the first of these excursions to the local chapel for the “candles” shot. To father Fr. Dominic Golding of St James RC Church, Reading, for allowing us to set up our candles and other props and allowing is to photograph in the chapel To the County School of Dancing, Reading, and Mary Richardson the owner for being approachable and allowing us into her school. To Jill and her Tuesday 11am class for being great sports, allowing me to set up cameras on several occasions to snap at them continuously. To my mother and father-in-law, Ann and Jan Wilson, for their assistance, immense support and commitment on the countless trips to Bournemouth Beach and the New Forest to get the ‘right’ shot at these locations

1881 (part i)