Tamara Pavlovic - Last hug

Artwork Description:

I spent the last six months of my mother’s life caring for her as she battled breast and duodenum cancer. Once full of vitality, she was slowly undone by illness, and navigating her care revealed how hard it is to preserve dignity at the end of life. This work captures precious last moments with her cat Zoro who was her only companion for four years before going to age care. After her passing in Serbia, I turned to painting to process the grief. My work reflects the beauty, pain, and love bound to ageing and death and it is a tribute to my mother and to the resilience of the human spirit.

Artist Statement:

Ageing is a delicate and inevitable process, one that forces us to confront the fragile nature of our existence. The most difficult part is not only the physical decline, but the acceptance of death—first, the passing of our parents, and eventually, the confrontation of our own mortality. Last year, I spent the last six months of my mother’s life caring for her as she battled two different cancers—breast and duodenum. My mother was always a vibrant woman, full of life and spirit, a testament to youthful energy both in heart and mind. She looked much younger than her years and loved the simple pleasures of life—sewing, music, and walking—yet her body betrayed her.

Watching her slowly deteriorate, both on a weekly and daily basis, was heartbreaking. Navigating through the complexities of the healthcare system was like walking through a minefield. The process of caring for her and witnessing her struggle made me realize how difficult it is to preserve dignity in the face of death, and how fleeting life truly is. When I returned from Serbia, after her passing, I turned to painting—my way of processing the trauma and emotional toll. It was during this time that my healing began.

Through my works, I attempt to honour the complexity of ageing—the beauty, the struggle, the pain, and the love that intertwines with the reality of mortality. My art is a reflection of the grief and acceptance that come with watching a loved one age and ultimately, let go. It is a tribute to my mother, to all those who face their own mortality, and to the enduring spirit that survives even in the most difficult times
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