Mother’s Group, 2000

Video VHS, 2 tapes, 30 min and 50 min

“My labour and delivery were pretty good. I felt that it was an initiation of sort. I could really understand why so many traditional cultures have elaborate male initiation ceremony that often involve physical markings and pain, and fear and things where they take adolescent boys to an unknown place where they submit them to all these mysterious rituals. And you don’t hear so much of these kinds of rituals for women, well obviously because women have childbirth to go through! I did feel I was left with some permanent scars from the physical experience, although on one hand it was very empowering, on the other hand for many months after, I went through a grieving process for my body, there were marks and changes to my body that I don’t think I’ve been prepared for.” — Julia (37), Melbourne.

“I think nothing has changed me so much as having a baby. Especially the first months, that is the state of complete devotion, complete exclusion of the outer world. Nothing is more important than the child, bearing in mind both the physical and psychological dependence. It seems that there is nothing else in the world we are prepared to devote ourselves to, so much. Having a child for me was in a way, redefinition and re-examination of many things. it was also a big dilemma between us (with Dule) because we don’t always have the same ideas about bringing up Rebeka. Since the very beginning it has been the cause of big arguments between the two of us. Finally, we both agreed that we are different people, and the child should create her own relationships towards different people and that we don’t have to agree on every question.”

— Marjonka (38), Skopje

— Eleonora, Skopje

— Rusalka, Melbourne

— Suzie, Skopje

— Veronica, Melbourne

—Dragica, Skopje

— Liljana, Melbourne

  • Marjonka

  • Julia

  • Eleonora

  • Suzie

  • Rusalka

  • Dragica

  • Veronica

  • Liljana