Through this work, I aim to speak out against the social stigma surrounding motherhood in our patriarchal culture. After giving birth, a woman becomes highly vulnerable and finds herself in a fragile state of consciousness. Society is accustomed to thinking that childbirth is a joyous celebration. However, there is a flip side – up to 20% of women experience postpartum depression, and up to 80% experience maternity blues. When society tells them that they should be happy, new mothers try to conceal their sadness from others, making the situation even more unbearable and dangerous.
The "Dark Side" project addresses the issues of motherhood and the associated challenges. It is a ceramic panel made of dark clay measuring 50 by 70 cm, created using the slab technique and incorporating recycled glass. The panel depicts a mother and child. The mother sheds tears made of glass, and her hair is also composed of glass, emphasizing her vulnerability in this moment. The dark clay and bright shining glass create a negative effect. Through this work, I aim to highlight that sorrow during childbirth also deserves recognition, and we should treat such women with care.