The University Of Utah: Humans Of The U: Griffin Hale

Salt Lake City UT

15 December, 2021

3:56 AM

Description

Press release from The University of Utah: December 14, 2021 In October of 2021 ceramics major Griffin Hale placed a hand-built structure large enough to step into made of recycled clay behind the Huntsman Cancer Hospital. It was part of a class assignment, but its meaning went far beyond that. "I was inspired by the experience of being a caregiver for my mom, who has cancer. This project was inspired by an experience that I had looking at my mom through a window and waving at her, and she didn't notice. In that moment I realized my bystander role in watching as these events unfold. Building this project was very healing for me. It allowed me to express and open up about feelings I didn't know I was struggling with. I'm hoping that people can relate to, and potentially recognize a similar experience that they're going through as a caregiver when looking at or experiencing this piece. The piece put into perspective that experience of being a bystander, watching from afar, the wrath that cancer can have on people or their loved ones.In the midst of treatment and ups and downs in health, this gives us an opportunity to come closer together, strengthen our bonds and love one another more fully. The strong and sturdy clay bricks depicts the unmoving, determination and defiance in the caregiver. Despite all of the horrible destruction that cancer itself causes we as caregivers are unmoving and that is the experience I hope to depict and for so many people to relate to." — Griffin Hale This press release was produced by The University of Utah. The views expressed here are the author's own.