Mourning is an affective state of feeling sorrow over the loss, absence or death of someone or something. It can be a difficult ordeal to go through, marking a transition in the course of a lifetime and requiring a process of adaptation to a sudden change. In Western societies, this experience is often assumed out of sight and remains unspeakable. Yet, artistic expression is an eloquent way of expressing the suffering caused by death. This issue brings together texts and images exploring the various ways in which artists can express this pain. How can contemporary art bear witness to this affliction, experienced across diverse social and emotional realities? Can art teach us how to celebrate grief collectively?