My work is based on memories, social history, relationships and ultimately identity. Wondrous Birth is a series of work based on the idea of mothers having to give up their newborn child for whatever reason but when doing so leave a token with the child in the hope of one day being reunited with them. The token therefore acts as an identifier but only if it is left with the child.
I have made a series of etchings and cast them in resin. There is no print version of any etching plate. The casting process acts as a means of preservation and security, making it impossible to develop the print, which is a metaphor for the mother/child relationship.
The images used are based on research from The Foundling Hospital in London, Sean Ross Abbey in Co. Tipperary and answers to a questionnaire I carried out.