Mothering and more is an extension of my original documentation of invisible labor. I asked participants, women who are mothers, to document their own experiences with feeling invisible while completing tasks that often fall on the shoulders of women in differnt sex partnerships. Research consistently reveals that this coexistence follows the least egalitarian path. Each participant documented their invisible labor in Keyhole Markup Language per instructions which were then etched on acrylic. Mothering and more is simply a queering of the maternal — mother as verb. It is for all women-identifying caregivers, supporting research that partnerships of different sexes see the most significant disparity in domestic labor. Image documentation by Single File Studio.
I am a woman, a mother, a wife, and a teacher who draws strength and identity from each. On the surface I am the human that nurtures, cares for, and loves unconditionally; ensuring that needs are met, wants and desires are heard, and that the wheels of life remain greased and well maintained. What/who am I beyond this? This is a question that permeates my thoughts as I approach middle age, and continues to remain unanswered. However, I am confident and unapologetically sure that I AM MORE than what I have selflessly poured into others. I welcome the time and space when I can meet her, love her, and accept her.
Cleaning the kitchen, surface clean bathrooms, vacuum and do laundry
Yelm, WA