Laura Bundesen
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The Brain Project - In loving memory of Elaine

7/20/2017

17 Comments

 
In exactly 9 days I will be arriving in Toronto where I will get to see my Brain Project sculpture on the streets of the city - live and in person! How thrilling to see my first international exhibition and to be a part of this large effort to increase awareness about, and funding for, Alzheimer's care and research.

This is the 2nd year of the Brain Project an awareness building and fundraising effort launched by the Baycrest Foundation. 100 artists were selected to design a brain sculpture for the project and their work is now displayed on the streets of Toronto through the end of August. In September, the brains go on sale to benefit Baycrest programs.

I could not be more thrilled to be participating this year. Photos of my completed brain sculpture - both sides - are below. Read on to find out more about my stepmother Elaine who was the inspiration behind my involvement.
My piece is titled 'Not Forgotten'. It started as a collage of fabric and was then embellished with hand embroidery, beads and trim exploring the thread connecting past and present.   It was inspired by Elaine who suffered from dementia in her final years. The last time I saw her she didn’t recognize me. After asking for my name, she smiled and said : “Laura… that’s one of my favorite names.” I knew then that somewhere deep inside her she had not forgotten.

Elaine was a fearless explorer and traveler and below are some photos that are  just a snapshot of her intrepid spirit. They were taken in 1986 when she embarked on an around-the-world trip with her best friend Sandra, stopping off in Pakistan to see me and my husband where we were living for two years. During the visit we traveled up the rugged Karakorum Highway to the mountainous town of Gilgit. A trip that not many western women in their 60s would have taken. Did I say fearless? I can't think of a better word for her.

I once asked her what made her so brave and she told me that after she lost my father suddenly in a plane crash she realized the worst thing she could imagine had already happened to her, and to be afraid of anything after that was pointless.
me and Elaine
last one over the scary log bridge
I miss her still...

Visit my piece on the Brain Project, vote for your favorite artist brain and donate too, if you can, to this important work.

And, thanks for being here and sharing in my journey. If you're not already in my Inner Circle you can join here! - I send out a newsy email about once a month.
17 Comments
Dimitra Neonakis link
7/21/2017 08:32:20 am

What a loving and touching tribute to a dauntless woman. A beautiful way to process complex grief. Your writing and your work are lovely, but I think you know you have a fan in me.

Reply
Laura Bundesen
7/21/2017 12:01:28 pm

Thank you so much Dimitra! - Feeling blessed to have had her in my life and for instagram instant friends like you!

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Bev
7/21/2017 11:11:04 am

What a loving tribute to share of Elaine and such a. beautiful smile in the picture. I am so excited for you to embrace BrainProject in person. So many memories wrapped in each stitch- a lifetime! Your work is amazing! So talented!

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Laura Bundesen
7/21/2017 12:02:53 pm

Thanks for reading Bev! and for your words of encouragement and support - <3 means so much to me. Toronto here I come!!! will post pics to instagram when I get there (of course!)

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Lorraine Zaloom
7/21/2017 12:13:51 pm

hard to finish reading through misty eyes. beautiful tribute to her intrepid spirit. much love and congratulations on this most exciting achievement!

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Laura Bundesen
7/21/2017 12:38:02 pm

Thanks Lo!! You're one of those rare people in my life who definitely helped get me here - I am forever grateful for your many years of artistic support - and remember you helping me stretch my very first canvases some 20+ years ago!! I've come a long way with your help but still don't really like my staple gun - lol.....love you sister-friend - BIG HUGS and much gratitude <3

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Myra
7/21/2017 05:52:27 pm

What a beautiful, loving story about a beautiful piece of art. Thank you for sharing the story the backstory. And congratulations! Shine on!

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Laura Bundesen
7/21/2017 10:53:08 pm

Thanks Myra! Really appreciate that!! Much love ❤️

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Sandra Lee
7/22/2017 06:24:11 pm

Lucky enough to have met Elaine a time or two, I salute your important contribution to her memory and the efforts you make which support the other families who also experience "the long goodbye."
Not at all surprised that your art is garnering some international attention.
Your first profile hung as a treasured piece of art in our house for years. Both Kelly and I lament that in all our moves it somehow got away from us, so we especially love the evolution of that early effort.
Keep on keeping on my dear Little Sistah!
xosl

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Laura Bundesen
7/22/2017 07:40:39 pm

Awwwww thanks Sandra Lee 🙏 Love you much and have always felt so supported by you! I don't remember the early self portrait but I do remember the lamb-fam mobile that I made for you eons ago - fun to think across all those years together! And, glad you got to meet Elaine 😊 Love and hugs!

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Assisted Living Denver link
10/19/2017 04:02:28 am

Thanks for sharing your experience.

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Laura Bundesen
10/20/2017 01:10:28 pm

Thanks for visiting my blog!

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www.eessayontime.com link
6/30/2018 01:34:21 pm

This project is so special. I will always support Brain Project because I know that people who have been suffering from brain-related diseases are in need of support. Actually, this is the very first time I had the desire to help. I've read the story of Elaine and I was touched by her story. Maybe it's too late for her, but we can still help patients are are still fighting a battle from the said disease. I'll be reposting this one so that more people will be aware of it! This is a small help, but I am pretty sure it will go a long way.

Reply
Laura
7/2/2018 10:27:46 am

Thanks so much for taking the time to read and comment. It helps to know that Elaine's story lives on and inspires others even after she is gone. Blessings...

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best writing services reviews link
3/5/2019 08:40:40 pm

Elaine was able to live a good life not just for herself, but for other people who are also close to her heart. It was a good thing that Baycrest Foundation spearheaded this "Brain Project" and invited a lot of artists to came up with an artwork that has something to do with brain. What a good way to commemorate a precious life that was taken in a snap of a finger. Wherever Elaine could be right now, I am sure that she is happy. Her memories will always live with the people who are close to her forever.

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Thots Indiana link
2/22/2021 03:37:15 am

Loveely post

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Kwik Print A0 A1 A2 link
12/27/2022 02:18:58 am

Nice one. People are becoming aware of this kind of topic and I would like to thank the author for writing this kind of article for the benefit of people.

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    Chronicling my adventures as a Neuro Artist. I love to make work centered on our magnificent brains and learn about how it all works in the process..

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