Degree Show 2025

My essay explores the significance
of death education and its impact
on children within a media-saturated
society. It examines how various forms
of media, particularly video games
and films, shape children’s perceptions
of death. The paper raises concerns
about the trivialization of mortality
often present in media narratives and
the potential consequences of such
portrayals on children’s developing
understanding of life and death. It
also highlights the unique role of
picture books as gentle and accessible
tools for facilitating conversations
about death within families. Through
a critical analysis of these media
forms, the essay underscores the
importance of death education in
fostering emotional resilience and a
healthy relationship with the concept
of mortality. Furthermore, it reflects
on my own motivations as an illustrator
to contribute meaningfully to this
important and often overlooked area.
The inspiration for this essay stems
from my personal experience. As a
child, I vividly remember the fear I
felt when I first realized that human
life is finite. Although I have not yet
experienced the loss of a loved one, the
concept of death has long intrigued me,
an uneasy blend of curiosity and anxiety.
Growing up with this confusion, I
now hope to create a story for children
like my younger self, a story that took
me a very long time to understand.
Wh e n w e f i x a t e o n l y o n t h e
shadow that death casts, we lose
sight of the beauty that life offers.
But when we turn our gaze toward the
people and things we love, the fear of
death loses its power to harm us.