Creating Memories
Known for his appealing eccentricity, jeweller Lord Odin explains why he chose to have an iconic photo of his late mum reproduced as a monochrome portrait, using her ashes
Like many people, following his mum’s funeral, Ribble Valley-based Lord Odin and his siblings were left with a box of ashes and many memories.
“I, in my eccentric way, wanted to marry both to create a focal point that at a glance would open a door to the past and help me feel close to her once again,” he recalls.
“After an internet search it seemed I was not alone in this quest. Intrigued with what I had discovered, I asked for the opinion of friends, and it turns out to be very much a Marmite question – something that you’re either going to love or hate,” explains Odin, who is married to the actress Gemma Craven.
Amazed at the number of innovative and imaginative ways in which to remember a loved one through their ashes, Odin sought the help of a local designer and artist.
He explains: “I must point out that I don’t believe there is a right or wrong way to deal with this sort of thing – other than with respect and love.
“It seems that while most of us are content with the traditional idea of throwing the ashes to the wind, or sea, in a symbolic reference to setting the spirit free, how we deal with ashes now has also been transformed. What would you say to being shot into space, turned into a diamond or a sculpture? The list is endless,” says Odin, who owned Vall Hall jewellers in Blackburn.
In his quest to find a local artist to resolve his dilemma as to what to do with his mum’s ashes, and after much deliberation, Odin found Emma Metcalf and asked her to recreate an iconic photograph of his mum.
Emma, who has an e-business designing greetings and memorial seed cards that can be planted after a funeral service, was delighted to help.
Odin says: “The hard part was finding an artist who would not shy away from what is a sensitive task and after talking to several over a period of weeks I felt that Emma had the talent, inventive design and the empathy that I needed.
“I had imagined that we would have to keep the painting blunt and blurry due to the nature of the ashes, but Emma found ways to make a finer texture, which opened up lots more possibilities.
“We then had to work through size and colour and any essential extras that would personalise the painting. The power of words always has a profound affect, and I opted for the greatest of all: ‘I love you’.
“I only have to glance at this picture to see mum as a beautiful young girl dreaming of what her life would be. In this innocent photo she had no idea that she would marry twice, raise four children, work in cotton mills and dairies, become a hairdresser, publican, caterer and property developer and I am always astonished at what this young girl from Blackburn managed to achieve.
“Now, when I look at this picture, I feel I am really looking at my mum.
While Odin is delighted with the result, he says some people will find it controversial: “I would love to hear from Live Ribble Valley readers, telling me what they think of the idea.”
