January Creator of the Month: Gintare Morie
Originally from Lithuania, a country with a rich history in theatre and the performing arts, Gintare Morie has and continues to have a lifelong connection to creativity and expression. Back in her youth, she pursued dance and participated in university theatre, highlighting her enduring interest in creating.
In 1996, when the chance to move to Canada arose, she embraced it as a life-changing opportunity. This pivotal moment was sparked by an invitation from her former theatre teacher in Lithuania, who has relocated to Victoria and encouraged Gintare to visit. This invitation opened the door for her to explore and grow in a new country which she has since called home. Her deep appreciation for nature and culture made moving to this part of the world and the country felt very natural.
Gintare has always been drawn to creative expression. Her background as a performer reflects this passion, and in recent years her focus has shifted toward fiber art and the incorporation of movement, blending tactile craftsmanship with physical expression.
Her life took a profound turn when she became a carepartner for her husband, who is living with Parkinson’s and dementia. Facing the emotional and physical challenges of caregiving, Gintare turned to her creativity as an outlet. This led to the creation of "Prayer for Caregivers" a public art performance designed to shed light on the often unseen struggles of family caregivers and offer solidarity and support to others in similar roles.
Inspired by her friend Pat Miller’s poetry titled Care Giver, who is also a caregiver, and incorporating recorded voices of seven other caregivers, her peice combined fiber art, movement, and music to create a poignant and transformative experience. The performance centered on three reflective questions: "How does your inner caregiver feel?", "What are your biggest challenges?", and "What gives you strength and joy?"
It was performed in two public spaces: the steps of a local library and a Japanese peace park.
The eight-month creative process of developing this project became an essential part of Gintare’s personal journey, helping her to navigate the emotional turmoil, loss, and physical exhaustion of caregiving. The project also brought her a sense of spaciousness and acceptance, providing a new perspective on her husband’s illness and the uncertainties ahead. Her work emphasizes the power of creativity as a coping tool, offering renewal and emotional support for caregivers facing daily challenges.
Through "Prayer for Caregivers," she seeks to inspire others to harness their creativity, highlighting its benefits for both the mind and heart in the caregiving journey. Her contributions underscore the resilience of caregivers and advocates for greater awareness and appreciation of the caregiving community.
“Art is a powerful coping tool. It has immensely supported me in processing loss, emotional turmoil, stuckness, loliness and physical exhaustion. It has also helped me step aside from the challenges of caregiving.”