PostingImages of maternity

VirginandChristChild_Small.jpgWhy do we expect so much of ourselves as mothers? Where do we get the idea we should be martyrs to our children and give up our own identities? This exhibition,  called Images of Maternity, running at the local Scottish Gallery of Modern Art might offer some answers. I haven't yet had a chance to see it myself, but works on display include paintings by Sandro Botticelli, Pablo Picasso, George Romney and Christine Borland. I'm intrigued by this exhibition, because so much of female identity is tied up with cultural precepts that seek to define and trap us in our roles as mothers. Cultural precepts set down by music, literature, newspapers and paintings like the ones in this exhibition.

My view is that it's hard to resist the cultural message we can - and should - be perfect mothers to saintly children. And so life becomes even more of a strain for those of us struggling to look after a screaming baby. We expect motherhood to convey us to a state of bliss. Then find ourselves isolated, bored and frustrated. Experiencing something very different to the 'new baby joy' we were expecting. How much of the gap in expectation is to do with the fact women spend their lives bombarded with images of post-natal perfection - like the Botticelli picture above?

We're encouraged to believe that giving birth is the crowning glory in our lives, the moment when we fulfill our biological and cultural destiny, that it will bestow perfect happiness on us in our new roles as mothers. But, of course, despite the brave faces that new mums put on for each other at coffee mornings, it's just not like that.

I'm hoping to get along to the exhibition at the weekend, and it'll be interesting to see if there are any paintings that challenge some of the tired old stereotypes that seek to manoeuvre women into chasing after unattainable dreams of motherhood. Exhibition runs until 22 June.

Posted 27 May 2008 12:49

Edinburgh Being a mother Guilt Out and about Perfectionism

Comments

Expat Mum said:

Wouldn't it be great if we could live by the "Happy mother, happy baby" idea? Where those of us who were happy at home doing the baby thing could do just that without feeling "unfulfilled", and those of us who need some external connection or just plain need to earn money could do so without feeling guilty. There's far too much debate about what we all should be doing, and unfortunately it's usually women doing the chattering.

Posted 28 May 2008 15:50

Helen said:

Well, Expatmum, I wish I could disagree with you, but, unfortunately, in my experience at least, women are often the first to criticise each other. Though I can remember, even before I had a child, being at a posh work dinner where some crusty old boys looked horrified at my presence and suggested I should be at home 'looking after my family'. It's all just a ruse to keep women in their place.

Posted 28 May 2008 16:50

Joyfulgirl said:

Many beautiful paintings I'm sure but I do have a big problem with women's portrayal in much art and the "role" it suggests .. never very empowering or challenging to the old stereotypes as you say ...

Posted 28 May 2008 17:25

Helen said:

Hello Joyfulgirl, no, not very empowering, but they go some way to explaining some of the negative thinking we sometimes face!

Posted 28 May 2008 17:40

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