“What first started as a necessity of what I was going through, really evolved into this larger calling and feeling like, Why stop here? There’s so much to uncover.” ~ Brianna Hernández

Hi! Guest host Julia Mark here.

In this third (and final!) installment of the Doors to Grief miniseries, we’ll hear from the artist, curator, educator, and death doula Brianna Hernández. It was a joy to talk with Brianna about her journey, and what motivated her to create art around grief and dying.

While our society often frames death in a dreary light, Brianna’s installations are vibrant, thought-provoking, and deeply intentional. Through her many roles, she encourages people to ask questions about death and dying, reminding us of the agency we have in planning for life’s inevitable close.

During this episode, I ask Brianna specifically about two of her installations. You can view photos of those exhibits here:

* Útiles Curativos (Brianna’s exhibit about caregiving)

* Aquí Descansamos (Brianna’s exhibit about alternate memorials/green burial)

I hope you enjoy learning about the creative doors to grief that Brianna Hernández has opened through her work!

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About Brianna Hernández

Brianna L. Hernández (b. 1991) is a Chicana artist, curator, educator, and death doula guided by socially engaged practices. In the studio, she creates multi-media installations focused on end-of-life care, grief, and mourning rituals based on lived experience, cultural research, and collaborations with peers.

In developing as an artist Brianna credits her late mother, Sylvia D. Hernández, as her most significant mentor and inspiration for the creativity, resilience, and compassion she demonstrated throughout her life.

Hernández has participated in residencies at MacDowell, The Watermill Center, Santa Fe Art Institute, The Constance Saltonstall Foundation for the Arts, SPACES, and Farwell House. She proudly serves as Director of Curation and Board Secretary of Ma’s House & BIPOC Art Studio on the Shinnecock Indian Reservation. Additionally, she is the Board Treasurer at Walker’s Point Center for the Arts, and Committee Member for the Gente Chicana/SOYmos Chicanos Arts Fund of the Greater Milwaukee Foundation.

Brianna's websiteBrianna’s Instagram

Mentioned in this episode

* Útiles Curativos (Brianna’s exhibit about caregiving)

* Aquí Descansamos (Brianna’s exhibit about alternate memorials/green burial)

* Día de los Muertos

* Going With Grace death doula training

* Luna Peak Publishing (books supporting cancer and grief communities)

* Trends in obituary publishing

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