Visual artist, researcher and journalist covering the contemporary art scene in the North of England, with a focus on exhibitions and gallery projects in Manchester.
Art has always been more than a reflection of its time. It is a tool for communication – a bridge connecting individuals, cultures, and eras. It doesn’t merely transmit the artist’s vision to the viewer but channels inspiration from the universe itself. Art creates a dialogue, and museums and galleries are not just repositories of beauty or history. They are spaces where profound questions come alive, often addressing topics we hesitate to explore elsewhere.
One such space is the Philosophy Café at Manchester Art Gallery, a monthly event where philosophy and art converge to spark deep and challenging conversations. It was here that I experienced my first session, a discussion centered on the sensitive and often taboo subject of death – is it time to allow assisted dying? Should we intervene to allow people to die before it ends naturally? Would you support a close friend or relative who wanted to die? These were some of the questions posed that day.
A Space for Courageous Conversations
The Philosophy Café gathers participants on the third Tuesday of each month, inviting them to engage with a philosophical topic, aided by artworks that serve as visual prompts. The format is simple yet profound: small group discussions in the café, followed by an exploration of relevant artworks in the gallery, culminating in a facilitated group dialogue.
That morning, around 20 participants met in the gallery café. While I won’t recount the personal stories shared – it feels too intimate for print – I was struck by the openness with which people discussed this sensitive topic. Death, often shrouded in silence and cultural taboos, was approached with surprising candor.
As I listened, I was reminded of ancient Egyptian culture, where the very word “death” was avoided, replaced by the euphemism “weary of heart.” Yet here, participants spoke freely – sometimes with sorrow, sometimes humorously, with optimism or unease. It was a rare dialogue, one I realized we often lack in everyday life.
Art as a Mirror to Mortality
The first artwork we explored was James Archer’s La Mort d’Arthur (1860), a vivid depiction of King Arthur’s final moments. Surrounded by three queens and the Lady of the Lake, Arthur is attended by love and loyalty as he prepares to leave for Avalon. In the background, Merlin stands, bearing the heavy news of the king’s death.
The painting portrays an idealized image of death – dignified, peaceful, and in the company of loved ones. It is a vision many of us yearn for. Yet the discussion soon turned to the stark contrast between such noble endings and the realities of modern life. Not everyone dies in a manner befitting legend.
The painting also reminded us of another, darker aspect: the concept of mercy. On the battlefield, soldiers and kings alike once sought assistance to escape unbearable suffering. If mercy could be granted in war, why should it be denied in other contexts?
The second artwork, Duke of Monmouth’s Interview with James II (John Pettie, 1839–1893), shifted the conversation. This emotionally charged scene depicts the Duke of Monmouth pleading for his life before his uncle, King James II. The canvas is stark, focused entirely on the two figures – one dressed in white, symbolizing innocence, the other as the ultimate arbiter of life and death.
Here, the painting raised a provocative question: who has the authority to decide whether a person lives or dies? Is the decision ever truly just? The starkness of the background underscored the gravity of this confrontation, leaving no room for distraction.
Breaking the Taboo
The group discussion that followed was as illuminating as it was necessary. The overarching sentiment was clear: the topic of death needs to be pulled from the shadows and brought into open dialogue. Participants drew comparisons to other once-taboo subjects, such as homosexuality, which, through societal evolution, has transitioned from shame to acceptance. Could the same happen with death?
The challenge, however, lies in moving the conversation beyond legal and medical frameworks. Discussing death remains fraught with discomfort, often dismissed as morbid or inappropriate. Yet, without these discussions, we are left unprepared – grappling with fear and uncertainty in our final moments.
A New Role in Society?
As I left the gallery that day, my thoughts lingered on the role of society in shaping how we approach death. We have roles and institutions that support life: doctors, priests, caregivers. But there is no clear role for those who might assist us in navigating the end of life. What would such a role look like? Who would take it on? And how would society respond to this shift?
The cultural and religious history of humanity has long revolved around the denial of death – postponing it, battling it, and celebrating life to its fullest. Yet, the growing discussions around assisted death signal a profound societal transformation. We are beginning to integrate the “darkness” into our collective consciousness, bringing it into the light of public discourse.
The question remains: have we, as a society, matured enough to confront the complexities of life and death without relying on divine intervention or fate? Can we truly make these decisions for ourselves, guided by reason, compassion, and empathy?
The Philosophy Café reminded me that art is not merely a medium for beauty or storytelling. It is a space for the deepest of dialogues – a mirror reflecting our most profound questions and fears. Through art, we find not only answers but also the courage to ask the questions that matter most.
