AN exhibition of art and poetry set to be showcased at CICCIC Taunton will hope to raise awareness of baby loss.

Mel Scott, a former occupational therapist turned poet, lost her son Finley during labour in 2009, and wrote poems at the time to help cope with the traumatic incident.

Now, Mel's intimate poems from one of the hardest periods of her life will be displayed in the form of textile art in aid of Somerset-based charity, Towards Tomorrow Together, which was started by Mel to support families across Somerset experiencing pregnancy and baby loss.

Sarah Jae Hargreaves, a friend of Mel's who is studying for a master's degree in fine art at Falmouth University, has taken 12 poems about the loss of her baby and turned them into art made out of fabric and embroidery.

The exhibition is a culmination of a collaborative project as part of Sarah's ongoing studies, exploring trauma and the cultural taboos that surround baby and pregnancy loss. 

Having worked with, and being friends with Mel, since 2008, Sarah wanted this project to raise awareness of baby loss and use her artwork to bring comfort and support to those affected. 

“It feels quite scary because it's obviously really personal," Mel said.

"My poems are something that I wrote just for me at the time.

“I get comments from people saying they thought they were the only people that were going through it.

“I’m hoping that it’ll bring comfort to a lot of people that have been through it.”

One of the poems written by Mel showcased at the exhibition reads: 

A Kiss Goodbye

Nothing helped me to feel prepared,

for the days after you died.

When the first, and only, kiss that we shared,

was also a kiss goodbye.

An exhibition preview evening for the public to attend and speak to Mel, will take place on Wednesday, May 1, from 6pm at CICCIC Taunton.

The 'Baby Loss: An Artists Perspective’ exhibition will run from May 1 until May 11, open from Wednesday to Saturday between 10am and 4pm - except Friday when the exhibition opens after 1pm.