Mother began as a project in a professional practices class, where students were asked to alter the perception of an image using only its title. The unexpected pairing of the word “Mother” with the cold interior of a refrigerator became the foundation for the series. This initial concept was further developed through inspiration from Carmen Maria Machado’s short story Three Bites, which explores the weight of generational trauma. The work investigates the emotional complexity of motherhood, shaped by personal experience and societal expectations that women be nurturing, selfless, and composed.
The refrigerator, often seen as rigid and sterile, is used as a setting to house familiar and emotionally charged objects associated with femininity. The series was photographed on black and white medium format film to emphasize vulnerability and evoke a sense of tradition. Religious symbols such as a blood-covered Virgin Mary subtly reference the influence of inherited belief systems and their role in shaping ideas of motherhood. Items like tools and eggs represent labor, fertility, and the ongoing effort required to meet imposed ideals. The installation invites viewers to examine not only the artist’s narrative but also their own understanding of maternal identity and cultural inheritance.
behind the scenes
Emilie O'Neill 