Would you like to join me in a creative exploration of motherhood?
My name is Lydia, I’m a mum, an artist and a student. As part of my post-graduate studies, I’m embarking on a socially engaged art project, which aims to explore ‘matrescence’ – a word used to describe the physical, emotional and social changes that take place in a person’s life as they transition into motherhood.
‘Our understanding of matrescence is limited by the lack of language to describe it’
— Lucy Jones, 2023 in her book Matrescence
project background
I became a mum in September 2021, and found, as I suspect a lot of mothers do, my world completely flipped upside down. I didn’t feel prepared for the massive changes that came with the birth of my daughter – shifts in my sense of self, my relationships, my values, understanding and ideas about the world.
Two years on, I have returned to study, determined to carve out some time for myself to be creative and independent, reconnect with my art practice and also to make sense of this experience of matrescence.
It’s a commonly held belief that the early years of motherhood can be some of the loneliest in a person’s life. Personally, sporadic and brief moments of connection, validation and recognition through conversations with other parents have acted as beacons of hope in some of my most challenging junctures.
In her 2023 book Matrescence, Lucy Jones advocates for ‘opportunities for honest conversations about the reality of motherhood’ as a vital step forward in establishing better support for new mothers, whilst also acknowledging that ‘our understanding of matrescence is limited by the lack of language to describe it’.
Considering this as an artist, I am curious to find out whether creative exploration can fill this gap in our every-day language, and enable mothers to connect and support one-another, through sharing experiences in a more meaningful and honest way.
An invitation
I am looking for a small number of participants to have conversations with, and work creatively alongside as a part of my creative research project. I’m interested in connecting with mothers who would be open to being interviewed about their experience of matrescence, and having their portrait painted.
To be a participant for this project you must:
- Identify as a mother, with children of any age.
- Have some interest in creativity and making (you do not need to be a skilled/professional artist!).
- Be located in the UK.
If this sounds like you, and you are interested in taking part, please contact me at 19012251@uhi.ac.uk, or fill in the form below and I will be in touch with further information. I look forward to hearing from you!
Lydia Atkinson Art 