Kerrie Kent
Kerrie Kent, an artist from East Sussex, she intricately weaves her personal narrative into her artistic endeavours. Her journey, marred by the shadows of congenital heart disease and marked by seven arduous open-heart surgeries, serves as both the canvas and the muse for her creations.
Drawing from the depths of her experiences, Kerrie's work delves into the labyrinth of emotions entwined with her damaged heart. Through her pieces, she navigates the complexities of this vital organ, pondering its function and the skilled interventions of heart surgeons that have defined her life's trajectory.
A recurring theme in her pieces is gold, inspired by the ancient Japanese art of Kintsugi. This practice, which involves repairing broken objects with gold, serves as a potent metaphor for Kerrie's journey - a testament to the beauty found in imperfection and the transformative power of resilience.
In her creations, the delicate dance between fragility and strength, impermanence and renewal, finds profound expression. Each piece is not merely a work of art but a poignant reflection of the human spirit's capacity to find beauty amidst adversity.
About Kerrie’s work “Don't Take Me Yet”:
This piece, a symphony of acrylics and mixed media, was created in my Sussex, UK studio in July 2024. It encapsulates a harrowing yet transformative moment from May 2021—a juncture where time seemed suspended as my husband was summoned into a room off the ICU. There, as I lay ensnared in the depths of a coma, he faced the stark words, "We hope for the best but plan for the worst." This dire proclamation marked the penultimate chapter of a journey that had begun 25 days prior, a battle against endocarditis and sepsis that left me comatose for 20 days.
My husband's unwavering hope became a beacon in the darkness, and miraculously, a day after that grim conversation, I began to show signs of recovery. This artwork is a visual testament to the agony he endured during those uncertain moments, an embodiment of resilience and the fight for life. The phrase that once echoed in despair has transformed into a daily mantra of survival and perseverance.
Central to the piece is a golden heart, inspired by the Japanese art of Kintsugi, where broken objects are mended with gold, celebrating their history and flaws. Delicate strands of fine gold wire trace the heart, symbolising the numerous procedures it has undergone. Black Swarovski crystals encrust the valves, a stark reminder of its daily struggle and the persistent threat of failure. This creation is a poignant reflection of both fragility and strength, an artistic chronicle of survival and the enduring human spirit.
Instagram: goldheartedclub