Members of the public are invited to St Andrew's Hospice in Grimsby for the first time since the pandemic to view a groundbreaking exhibition by the world-renowned photographer Rankin. From Saturday, April 20 to Tuesday, April 23, the #IRemember exhibition will go on display to the public inside the Peaks Lane building. A collaboration between Rankin and Hospice UK, the series of eight photographs depicts individuals experiencing grief, woven into past pictures of their loved ones. The stunning work of art offers the opportunity to explore and discuss loss, grief and memory, and highlights the fragility of life, with powerful stories behind each image. READ MORE: Grimsby mum who 'masked' all her life is seeking autism diagnosis after being inspired by her children Tragedy as new mum, 28, who 'would do anything for anyone' loses fight after suffering rare stroke The event marks the first time that members of the public have been invited into the hospice since the Covid-19 pandemic began in 2020. It will be the start of the charity's 45th anniversary celebrations, and visitors will have the opportunity to chat to staff and find out more about the services offered.
British photographer Rankin is no stranger to charity work, after making his name snapping portraits of celebrities from Kate Moss and
Madonna to David Bowie, and even the late
Queen Elizabeth II. His collaboration with Hospice
UK is in support of the Dying Matters campaign, which aims to open the conversation on our universal and unique experiences of death, dying, and grief. Rankin Rankin said: “Photographs are like time capsules, which means photography can be very powerful in dealing with death and loss. “The family portrait or holiday snap, allows you to emotionally connect through time and space with the person you have loved and lost. It keeps them alive in your memory, whilst also giving you something to memorialise them with. That’s why I love this project, it connects us to our emotions' history and everyone can be part of it.'' Sarah West, Director of Campaigns and Communications at Hospice UK, said: ''How we remember loved ones is an important and uniquely personal part of grief. We’re so pleased to be working with Rankin to capture a range of experiences, telling bold and brave stories from all walks of life. “We know his creative vision will capture grief in a new and dynamic way, encouraging much-needed conversation about death, dying and bereavement.'' #IRemember exhibition stories Here are two incredibly moving stories that are featured in the #IRemember exhibition. Ed Remembers Kip Kip went through more than four years of treatment for leukaemia. We thought everything was going OK until he relapsed in October 2020, so he had to have a stem cell transplant. After initial hope, things went wrong and he died in July 2021, just after his fifth birthday. We hated the fact that leukaemia and hospital played such a prominent part in his life. It seems like the first thing we remember; the most painful part of our memories. Ed Remembers Kip (Image: Rankin) The real Kip was full of joy and jokes, energy for dancing, the best cuddles, and a fascination with numbers and sea creatures. He loved making dens with his sister, playing in the garden, riding his bike, splashing in puddles and all the fabulous and frustrating things that little children do. It's wonderful when people talk about Kip. It lets us know that they remember him too. Tears follow, but that’s such a small price to pay. The memories are so real, so precious, and felt as deeply as losing him. Remembrance comes with laughter and tears. The two need to live side by side; we just need to be OK with that. Ike Remembers Mimi She was my queen. At first, I didn't want to hear ‘you're going to be fine’. I didn't want any of that. I didn't want to hear the conversations she was having with the children that she’d ask me to record on my phone. She wanted to do all the right things, to have all the right conversations – she wanted to feel prepared. It took me a long time to feel ready for that. I went into autopilot, just trying to fix things. Ike Remembers Mimi (Image: Rankin) Because I didn't want to give it a name. I wanted to hold on. But I understand now. I remember telling the children, ‘I don't know what's going to happen, but we're going to try our best. Mummy is a soldier. She's a warrior. And she's showing us how to be warriors.’ To view the exhibition, simply drop in to St Andrew's Hospice on Peaks Lane, Grimsby, DN32 9RP on April 20 or 21 (11am-3pm) or April 22 or 23 (2-5pm). For more information, call 01472 350908.