Looking at the reveal of postpartum mother monument at Serpentine
@rayvenndclark_art the sculptural representation of postpartum mother, encapsulating something so extremely important yet practically invisible in terms of representation in the art world. I simultaneously talk to lots of gen Z 20somethings, especially women, who easily admit they would never want to bring a child into the world we live in today. Where on one hand I completely understand and partially agree, the other side of me fears for the future of our species. I feel that we need to pay the postpartum mothers the recognition, respect and praise they deserve, we need to put them on the pedestal equal if not bigger than the one of “founding fathers” as none of us would be here if it wasn’t for their decision to being us into the world despite obstacles (when I was born, my mum was 21 and dad 24, they were very poor and lived in a studio flat with my grandma, who slept on a foldable camping bed in the kitchen). Nobody talks about how much sacrifice comes with becoming a mother. Especially for those, who live abroad and have no support system other than paid childcare.
“I have learned a great deal about not only the capabilities of women’s bodies but also the physical, emotional and psychological changes that occur well into the fourth trimester,” she explains. “I felt it was essential that the artwork served as a moment of education for the wider public, as we all have mothers who have had similar experiences and this deserves recognition.” SOURCE: https://broadsheet.com/london/articles/postpartum-sculpture-rayvenn-dclark
As recently as 2021, an Art UK Sculpture survey found that of the roughly 1500 monuments in London, 20.5 per cent were dedicated to named men but only four per cent to named women. D’Clark adds that “there is a shocking lack of sculptures across the city that are dedicated to women of colour. There are more statues of men named John than of all named women combined.” Her aim is to work towards redressing that balance, creating a public artwork that women and people of colour will see themselves reflected in. SOURCE: https://broadsheet.com/london/articles/postpartum-sculpture-rayvenn-dclark
Mother Vérité by Rayvenn D’Clark was commissioned by Chelsea Hirschhorn, founder of baby and parenting brand Frida. It was unveiled on October 9 at Portman Square Garden W1H, where it will be on display until October 21, before touring.
