And counting

This creative project is a body of work inspired by the experience of motherhood and feelings of maternal ambivalence. Informed by historically gendered objects, the works of art in And Counting examine themes including passage of time, accumulation, and elevation of mundane daily routine. I created these pieces to better understand the complexity and nuance involved in the full experience of motherhood, including the tension created by parenting in a culturally patriarchal system. Tools of care incorporate elevated materials such as sterling silver, fused glass, and vitreous enamel juxtaposed with the detritus of caregiving activities, including hair, children’s scribbled drawings, and candy wrappers. These contrasting materials invite viewers to consider what is precious or valuable and whether their values are internally authentic or socially conditioned.