Writing

“The Origin of the World: Women’s Bodies and Agency in Childbirth” - Synopsis of Thesis:

For the last few years, during the course of my MFA studies at George Mason University, my artwork has focused on pregnancy and birth. When I began this work in 2005, I came to the project with little more information on birth than the average American.  My impetus was my own pregnancy and impending childbirth.  Already a feminist, my early readings led me to deep sympathies with natural childbirth and homebirth.  My birth experience and the relationships I have formed since then deepened this allegiance. 

As I began to read seriously for my thesis, I was stunned to learn that some women give birth at home to play out conservative gender roles, and that some feminists criticize the move away from hospitals as a regressive step that reifies conventional sex stereotypes. For me and for the women that I know, these choices are profoundly rooted in feminist ideology.  I realized that the task before me was larger than I had anticipated.

I begin this essay by describing the history of birth activism and feminism.  I explore the impact of political movements during the 20th century on women’s perceptions of their bodies, reproductive choices, and identities as mothers.  I then turn to contemporary issues in birth activism, and theorize on why feminist work to advance birth choices is largely neglected by American women.

After reviewing the politics of childbirth, I continue by surveying birth images in Western art and culture.  I summarize and interpret the culture we have inherited surrounding birth. I also explore the work of Ghislaine Howard and Jonathan Waller, whose work stands alone in Western drawing and painting as it directly addresses labor and birth.  I was not fortunate enough to encounter their work as I began this project, but I am informed by their approaches to their subject matter and their experiences showing their works.

Finally, I discuss how my research has affected my work.  While my original vision and purpose remains clear to me, I now have an idea of how my work functions in a cultural context.  This has led me to examine my own work, as it might be understood.  I discuss how the subject and emphasis of my paintings is shifting to participate in a new, broader dialogue.

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