Overview

Rusten House Art Centre presents a doctoral research exhibition by Karen Sorensen.

Grief has been explored throughout history and across cultures in many creative forms. During one's lifetime, most people experience different forms of bereavement; these experiences are not felt in isolation, but impact and compound upon others through everyday life. 'Transforming Objects' is the outcome of creative doctoral research exploring ways of working with inherited objects to navigate the complex relationality and temporality of bereavement. Presented within Rusten House, a place shaped by care and healing, the exhibition features interlinked mixed media assemblages, each reflecting a personal story of love, loss and remembrance. Together, they explore enduring bonds connecting us to those no longer physically present but deeply woven into our lives.

As viewers move through the exhibition, Karen invites them to reflect on the objects, memories and relationships that have shaped their lives, and consider how care, storytelling and creative practice can sustain connection long after death.

Karen Sorensen is an artist, retired registered nurse and PhD candidate. She holds a Bachelor of Visual Arts, a Graduate Certificate in Heritage Materials Conservation and a Diploma of Botanical Art.