Misconceptions

This paper sculpture was part of a body of work entitled ‘Misconceptions’ produced in 2015. Inspired by ‘Motherhood is…’, it explores pregnancy, birth and the transition into motherhood.  I collaged photographic images with printed text taken from book ‘Life After Birth: what even your friends won’t tell you about Motherhood‘ by Kate Figes'. It was inspired by my own experience of giving birth and having an emergency caesarean section as well as my experience of postnatal depression which followed. The bodice is tide with surgical thread and a suture needle.  For a long time motherhood has often been perceived as an uncomplicated, joyous and fulfilling event. Popular and traditional representations of motherhood often portray happy, contented women holding their beautiful, healthy babies. These representations confirm fulfillment and comfort supposedly derive from the maternal role. Although, what is omitted and obscured are the realities of motherhood, especially with your first child. Becoming a mother involves moving from a known, current reality to an unknown, new reality which causes an extreme and abrupt change in a woman’s life.