Cliff and Wilma Derksen at a recent arts event in Winnipeg, where works of art were displayed as part of an ongoing journey of healing, almost 30 years after their daughter Candace was murdered. Photo courtesy of Cliff and Wilma Derksen.

Art takes family through journey of healing

By Steven Sukkau and ChristianWeek | May 22, 2014

WINNIPEG, MB—Works of art that helped a family on their journey toward healing after terrible tragedy are now inspiring others.

It was 2012 when Cliff and Wilma Derksen and their daughter Odia sat through the trial of the man accused of murdering their daughter and sister, Candace, nearly three decades ago.

During the trial, Cliff, a sculptor, sketched to process his emotions, while Odia crocheted, using black, red and beige yarn to express her thoughts. Others attending the trial saw Cliff’s work, and asked if he would be willing to exhibit it. He wasn’t ready.

Now two years later, that has changed. Cliff, Wilma and Odia recently displayed their work at Winnipeg’s Frame Gallery, during an exhibit titled “Inexplicable: It’s About Healing.” The show included Cliff’s sculptures, Odia’s crochet work and Wilma’s paintings. Odia also contributed “The Last Walk” a photography display that follows Candace’s final journey.

The family sees their art as ministry. “We never expected this,” Cliff says.

“It was excellent, an amazing event,” Wilma says, adding it had a great turn out. “And the conversations have been amazing.”

She says many discussions sprung up around the power of art, capturing indescribable loss, but also marking the family’s individual journeys towards healing.

All three artists have distinct styles. Cliff’s work features more masculine pieces like the 24-inch high throne of swords. His work is in sharp contrast to his daughter Odia’s crochet art and his wife’s work in plaster and white paint.

“When I didn’t have any words I yearned for the simplicity…and the purity of white,” Wilma says of her colour choice.

Despite the range of styles, all of the pieces centred on art’s healing power.

“It struck me, people kept asking how art affects you going through trauma,” says Cliff. “I realized it’s healing. The process of picking an image to represent an issue makes you work through it. You use your whole brain, your emotions and feelings to work through metaphor…and by the end it becomes a marker of what’s changed. It changed me.”

Cliff says really experiencing forgiveness often becomes a right-brain process. While he knew, from a logical left-brain perspective, forgiveness was the theological truth he must pursue, he wasn’t able to express it until he sat down to create.

“It was a joy to realize,” Cliff says. “And we’re hooked.”

More than 100 people came out on the exhibit’s opening night April 12, many walking away deeply moved and inspired by the Derksen’s story and artistic gifts. The Derksens say they’re already planning for future exhibitions.