Lost expectancies

Elske Henderson

03.03.21 - 15.04.21

Long gallery

This exhibition deals with loss… specifically the loss of an unborn child early in pregnancy.

Miscarriages are common, occurring in up to 50% of all first trimester pregnancies (often without the woman knowing she was pregnant) and in up to 30% of recognised early pregnancies. That is one in four known pregnancies ending before birth – in a so-called “failed pregnancy”. And among 50 000 child-bearing women interviewed, 43% revealed they had experienced one or more miscarriages.  

Yet in Western society the subject is covered in a veil of silence. There is no social ritual for mourning an unborn child.  Since miscarriages are so frequent, the expectant mother is told not to announce she is pregnant until at least month four. If she miscarries before that date, she is left alone and silent in her grief. 

In this exhibition a ritual is suggested to break the silence. Suspended boats made of white gauze is used as a metaphor for the empty cradle, transporting the unborn across the mythical River Styx to the underworld of Ancient Greek lore, where their souls wait to be born into a new body. The white gauze is used as material to represent bandages for the healing of the pain of miscarriage, providing a cocoon of comfort for the mother and child. The installation of the boats and other works becomes a funerary ritual for mourning and healing.

Download the catalogue here