Walter Schels
2003, 5 December
Edelgard Clavey
[Life Before Death]

Black and white print
Provided by the artist - Walter Schels
age: 67
 
born: 29th June 1936
 
first portrait taken: 5th December 2003
 
died: 4th January 2004, at Helenenstift Hospice, Hamburg
 
Edelgard Clavey was an administrative assistant in the university's psychiatric clinic. She has lived on her own since her divorce in the early eighties. She doesn't have any children. From her teens she has been an active member of the Protestant church. For the past few weeks she has been bed-bound. "Death is a test of one's maturity. Everyone has to get through it on their own", says Frau Clavey. "I want so very much to die. I want to become part of that vast extraordinary light. But dying is hard work. Death is in control of the process, I cannot influence its course. All I can do is wait. I was given my life, I had to live it, and now I am giving it back.
 
I've always worked hard, following a similar path to a nun: poverty, chastity, obedience. Now, I am no longer able to contribute anything to society and this pains me terribly. I do not want to be a financial drain on resources, yet another living corpse that is only a burden. I want to go, preferably immediately. Always be prepared, just like the boy scouts."
 
LL/28958