Mother Marks
Mother marks is an extension of “A Mothers Memory”, it further delves into the experiences of motherhood, womanhood and the body. With a focus on the marks left behind by these experiences, how most of those marks are forever! but almost all of them you don’t see and aren’t talked about.This project focused on working with memory. Reflecting on my experiences, where my aches and pains came from around my body - the areas that screamed for relief that never seemed to ease but until well after the births of my children.
I chose to use Relief printing techniques for this project to produce a series of eight images in multiple sets in order to be able to layer these with different images in a mono printing technique to be able to convey different feelings and contexts that would be able to connect to a broad audience. the mono prints were done with very fine layers of in so that the images chosen wouldn’t dominate the other image on the page. The limited colour palette that to me emulated tones of flesh and bruises was another contextual layer added as the body is where I am telling my story.
I remember cramps in my calves and feet along with restless leg syndrome at night, I remember the uncomfortable feeling of not being able to take a full breath or stretch the aches in my back once my belly was so swollen with baby it felt like that’s all there was to “me”.
The head aches, the over active salivation, my wisdom teeth erupting (even after the dentist told me they never would). Navigating the major changes to my body and the avalanche of hormones each time was an on going journey that required constant adjustment and acceptance and patience in order to get through it.
I am confident that this project will speak to not only other mothers who share in these memories but to others who may be able to recall similar stories shared to them from their mothers, sisters, wives, partners, daughters or friends and with that recollection be able to experience their memories through mine.
Scroll to the end for my Artist Statement
Artist Statement
This project aims to address the idealisation of the female form and the transformation the body undergoes during pregnancy. I aim to rectify the conflict women experience with their body's during and after pregnancy.
With the use of printmaking and painting as tools to explore these issues and create a space for social change where women can feel comfortable to acknowledge those feelings.
