Oil on canvas
103 x 123 cm
The Mother Figure is wearing a porcelain hood inspired by my own mother’s china cabinet and her love for antiques. They were meticulously dusted and often placed upon her hand crocheted doilies. Motherhood is evident with trinkets that are symbolic of things that represent maternal instinct such as providing food and nutrition for her young. A baby tooth next to a cotton fairy brought home from the dentist, a Mary Lou doll, a box of raisins renamed "Raising You" and a hint of technology in the form of a phone charger which has become a modern life-line. The ambiguous musket-like candle lighter represents the eternal maternal flame of unconditional love. But why a musket? Is it a symbol of protection or a reminder of the lengths maternal instinct will go to defend her young.
Her porcelain "China Hood" forms delicate ears, symbolising one of motherhood's most intuitive powers - the ability to listen. To laughter, to tears and to unspoken needs. Though her inky blue surroundings reveal cracks, her own fragile surface remains unbroken and strong.
She is a tribute to the strength and power of the maternal instinct, that loves, protects and endures technological change.
