Thirty Nine by Marcie Rohr

Thirty Nine is a deeply personal yet resonant exploration of memory, loss, and the richness of life. September 2026 marked five years since the passing of my sister, Julie. The exhibition is shaped by memories of her, as well as my own reflections living my thirty ninth year of life — the age Julie was when she passed away.

This exhibition comprises 39 artworks spanning a wide range of materials, evoking the multiplicity of feelings associated with the grief experience. Large scale textiles, photorealistic paintings, written word, and sculptures weave together diverse modes of storytelling to honour Julie’s essence — a life marked by humour, quirkiness, and a unique ability to cultivate joyful moments. While this exhibition is deeply rooted in personal memory, Thirty Nine extends beyond an individual narrative. The exhibition explores family life, shared histories, and the power of nostalgia; ultimately offering a space to reflect on life’s unending varieties of connections and losses.

In the making of these works, I embraced art’s capacity to preserve and translate fleeting emotions and moments. I invite viewers to meditate on the themes of community, familial bonds, and the ways death upends and reforms these pillars of the human experience. Through this exhibition, I hope not only to celebrate Julie’s incredible life, but to use the language of art to explore personal and collective perspectives on what gives any moment value. Through a dynamic and cohesive interplay of media, Thirty Nine invites viewers into moments of laughter, remembrance, reflection, and celebration.