Part of a series of artworks Titled:

The Archetypal Mothers - a Reclamation of the Self.

This series is an exploration of the many layers within motherhood, the sacrifices and the blessings. A testament to divine femininity, identity and the self that is lost and found.

The Sacrficial Mother is the depiction of the ultimate mother’s sacrifice. The woman is slowly drained, turning into a shell of what and who she once was. Her sunken eyes and boney features resembling a corpse. Around her are textured bubbles, as her breathing slows down, drowning in the pressures of motherhood. This is a visual representation of how it feels mentally when breastfeeding a newborn: the chronic sleep deprivation, the constant surging cortisol every time a baby cries and the rapid decline of hormones. On her head is her spirit animal, the octopus. The significance of the octopus is because of all the creatures on earth, the octopus represents the greatest of all sacrifices when it comes to motherhood. She swims around, boasting vibrant colours and full of energy. When she meets a mate, she gets pregnant and hides away to nest. Once her eggs are laid she waits, without sleep and without food, until each egg hatches. She slowly looses herself, her colour becomes grey, her energy is depleting and the end of the story is, this causes her demise. It ends her life. Breastfeeding a newborn can feel like this, unsustainable, unstable, and unfair. It can steal a woman’s identity completely. And make you feel closer to death than you ever have before. Much like the octopus. Hope feels so far. Even as a human.

2025 - Professional standard Textured paste and Impasto acrylic and gouache paint.

100cm x 100cm on a deep edged, gallery standard canvas