Vigdís Skagfjörður Sigurlínudóttir

The art of grieving

Creative process in grief, from expression to meaning

This essay discusses the role of creative expression and peer support in
grief process, with a special focus on art workshops for which possible support resources
mourners. At the beginning, a theoretical context is presented where grief is discussed as
holistic experience, meaning creation and the role of creative expression in the processing of difficult life experiences.

The research is based on a qualitative approach and involved an open house in the form of an art workshop held once a week for six weeks for individuals in grief The aim of the study was to investigate how such a space, which combines creative expression and peer support, can affect the well-being, self-understanding and participation of mourners in daily life Data was obtained through questionnaires, focus group interviews, individual interviews and a research journal.

The main findings suggest that the art workshop created a safe and supportive space where participants could approach their grief on their own terms Creative expression proved to be an important channel for processing emotions, especially when participants found it difficult to express their experiences through words Peer support also played a key role, including by reducing the feeling of isolation and contributing to greater participants' understanding of their own experiences and those of others.

The results of the study indicate that art workshops like these can be an important addition to traditional resources in grief support and contribute to improved well-being, self-understanding and social participation of bereaved people.

Supervisors: Hrefna Lind Lárusdóttir and Vigfús Bjarni Albertsson
30 ECTS Arts and Welfare
2026