The brainchild of Philippa Bayley, Manager of the University’s Cabot Institute, When Death Comes aims to stimulate conversations about death, dying and living, and personal responses to these. The programme was inspired by Philippa’s mother, artist and neuroscientist Sabine Bayley, who died of Motor Neurone Disease in 2013.

The heart of When Death Comes is an art space and exhibition at the Island Gallery, running from 16 September to 11 October. The exhibition features more than 20 people's work, as well as pieces by Sabine and Philippa. Philippa is calling for the public to contribute their own creative responses to grief and loss. She hopes to create a visual tapestry of work – from ceramics and textiles, to poetry and quotes – that celebrates life as well as the role death plays in shaping it. 

 The exhibition is complemented by a series of events that open up conversations about death and dying, including a talk addressing the fear of dying by Professor Havi Carel from the Department of Philosophy.

 “We don’t have enough spaces to talk about death and the profound effects it has on our lives. I hope that the collection of work we bring together will help us in our own lives as well as inspire and connect with others,” said Philippa.