Delane Cooper

Multigenerational trauma shows up in various ways from Dissociation, a pattern of behaviour that is used as a survival coping mechanism, to the emotionally deep, cavernous holes trauma survivors protect in the form of shame or honour.

The intention of this work is to acknowledge how silence, shame, and Dissociation around childhood trauma affects the life of the individual, and the impact it has on their future and generations to come. Metal allows me to express the generational bloodline, the undulating emotions of trauma where lines peak in joy and drop into the valleys of the unkown, the folds of memories trapped and the yearning to fill the negative space in the hopes to feel whole.

This form of creative and negative expression forces me to be present with reality through the tactility and tangibility of metal as opposed to dissociating to the illusions of what should have or could have been. As I continue to evolve it is my hope that those who come in contact with my work meet me just beyond the fringe of their emotional boundaries in order to appreciate the courage and strength it takes to break the silence.

At the height of her sales and marketing career, Delane had the opportunity to make a conscious choice to be an artist, creating and telling stories through jewellery.

For the past 20 years, Delane has been working with metal in the form of functional, wearable jewellery. Her practice utilizes healthy techniques such as meditation and yoga and a trauma coping mechanism called Dissociation to tap into her creativity.

In 2016, she created a series of talks called Breaking the Silence which led to writing her book, Letter to Eli, My Story, The Story of Many. Since then she has been an advocate to improve the mental health of individuals who have experienced childhood trauma and has founded the not-for-profit, The Lotus Hero Project. Delane Cooper is a wife, dreamatizer and author who calls Prince Edward County Home

Title: 2nd Generation
Dimensions: 3/4″ x 1/4″
Medium: sterling silver and auto paint (wearable object as ring or pendant)