Textiles and death are explored in this research with particular attention to the role of shrouding blankets in medical contexts when children are born dead or lost during pregnancy. Situated in artistic research, the project involves three distinct research strands. First, from a making perspective, hand weaving and industrial production methods allowed for the investigation of different textile materials, sizes, and weave structures, including the ability of the woven cloth to offer qualities such as softness, stability and absorption. Second, from a care perspective, midwives and assistant nurses tested the shrouding blankets in acute situations of loss to better understand the role the blankets’ presence may offer family members, but also the medical community. Finally, the voices of parents who have seen, heard about and used the blankets communicate their first-hand descriptions of loss and grief.
An exhibition will be held in Lilla hörsalen, Kristinelundsgatan.
Opponent
Ingun Grimstad Klepp, Professor in Clothing and Sustainability, Oslo Metropolitan University, Norway
Examining Committee
Solveig Aalberg, Textile Artist, Curator, Norway
Ingegerd Hildingsson, Professor emerita in nursing science, Mid Sweden University
Kjell Kallenberg, Associate professor (docent) in empirical philosophy of life research and professor emeritus at Uppsala and Örebro Universities, Author, Hospital chaplain
Chair for the Public Defense
Bengt Kristensson Uggla, Amos Anderson Professor in Philosophy, Culture, and Management at Åbo Akademi, Finland; Philosophical advisor and former guest professor at Gothenburg Centre for Person-Centered Care, University of Gothenburg
The thesis defence can also be viewed online via Zoom, where attendees can ask questions via the chat function.
Join via zoom
