Hidden (M)others is a series of sculptures that look to highlight pregnancy while acknowledging the costs to the body, celebration of the experience, and the societal tendency to erase and obscure. The series acts as a response to Hidden Mother photography, used from 1840 to 1920, in which mothers were shrouded in an opaque veil while they held their child. The sculptures aim to further conversations about the poor treatment of pregnant people and the lack of bodily autonomy they face. Visually, this is seen through the disembodiment of the stomachs, making birth their sole purpose. Each sculpture is made of foam, clay, fabric, and embroidery, creating a tangible way to reflect on our relationship to pregnancy. Carriveau encourages the audience to ponder whether or not they should touch the sculptures as they consider the erasure of identities frequent amongst those who have children.
Keegan Carriveau is a fibers sculpture artist that works with topics of femininity, reproductive health, and mental wellbeing through a feminist lens. Recently, Carriveau has been exploring concepts of body horror, including complicated birth experiences. She was inspired to explore this topic in response to the pressure she has experienced to have children.
