As humans we look for companionship, building strong attachments to our pets. They bring us fulfilment, helping us feel less lonely as they shower us with love and affection. However, as owners we dread when our pets are nearing the end of their lives. This inevitable grief is something personal to me, having lost my cat, my best friend.
Memorialising our Lost Cats explores the cat community and how the bond of loving cats has built a foundation of support and friendships. It especially looks at those within the community who have experienced bereavement, acting as a service that provides comfort. This project has focused on the Facebook group 'Just Cat Photos', where bereaved members of the group have sent in stories and images of their lost cats. These cats have been recreated through hand built ceramics. Once fired and glazed, these sculptures are situated and photographed in locations that resembled the lost cat's favourite hideaway. The photographs are sent back to the owners with the intended purpose to memorialise.
