Poster for Bringing Death Back into Life
From July 25 to October 11, Bringing Death Back into Life is on display at the Sea World Culture & Arts Center in Shenzhen.
Bringing together 24 creators from art, anthropology, sociology, medicine and social work, the exhibition uses film, painting and interactive media to explore themes often overlooked in daily life, including hospice care, medical decision-making and views on life and death. Unlike the common perception of death-themed exhibitions as dark or unsettling, it takes a gentle and open approach, inviting visitors to reflect on these topics through art and personal stories.
Xiang Zhilin, Memory Bear
Among the many works on display, one of the most memorable is the Memory Bear series. These handmade teddy bears are created from the clothing of loved ones who have passed away.
In many cultures, people choose to clear away a loved one's belongings after their death, hoping it will help ease the pain of loss. The Memory Bear suggests another way of remembering. Made from the clothing of the deceased, these handmade bears turn treasured keepsakes into something that can still be held, hugged and remembered.
Curator Zhou Wenjing on Xiang Zhilin's Memory Bear
The concept of Bringing Death Back into Life originates from a 2022 report published by the Lancet Commission on the Value of Death, which argues that death should not be separated from everyday life but understood as an integral part of the human experience.
More than an exhibition about death, Bringing Death Back into Life invites visitors to reflect on what remains after loss: memory, connection and the meaning we find in life. It also features 19 public talks and workshops. The talks draw on academic and practical reflection, while the workshops offer visitors a more intuitive and immersive way to explore the exhibition's themes.
Through art and personal stories, the exhibition offers visitors a chance to engage with a topic that is often left unspoken and to discover new ways of understanding life, loss and remembrance.
Visitors taking in the photography on display
Event details
Shenzhen
Dates: July 25 to October 11
Venue: Sea World Culture & Arts Center
Opening hours:
Weekdays: 10:00–19:00
Weekends & Public Holidays: 10:00–21:00
Address: L3 Garden View Gallery, Sea World Culture and Arts Center, 1187 Wanghai Road, Shekou, Nanshan District
*For tickets and event bookings, please check the official WeChat account of Sea World Culture & Arts Center.
Text: Hong Yichen (intern), Li Muzi
Photo: Sea World Culture & Arts Center
