…..“The experience of motherhood brought up the subject for my work since I like making from my life observation. But one thing definitely changed my view it’s my breast. Nothing really prepared me for being a first-time Mum and the profound change it has had on me and my body image, before becoming a mother I worried about how I looked. Was I the right shape and size, was I attractive enough? I now realise none of that matters. My body is now a bed, a soothing space, a safe space and a source of food.”

“….I decided that that I must work in the studio every day. At the same time I made commitment to my self care. Each day I make sure to do something for myself as well as something for my studio practice. I spend some time researching and reading, writing, visiting galleries and museums, viewing contemporary dance, watching films. Each week i spend time writing label copy for my works. I use instagram as a daily digital sketchbook, noting what I’m working on and what I am interested in.”

#boobsmakefood is a participatory project by Sarah Irvin that provides a tool for considering breastfeeding from the perspective of food production and consumption. This sticker features nutrition facts for breast milk. Any lactating human can place the sticker on their bodies or clothing in a location visible while feeding their child in order to accurately and publicly contextualize themselves as part of their local food system.

I currently live in Prince Edward County, Ontario (rural area between Toronto and Montreal) with my partner, our little human, and a 17-pound black cat. I was born into an Armenian family from Lebanon/Syria and grew up (mostly) in an immigrant suburb of Toronto, although I lived in different parts of the world throughout my life (Canada, US, Egypt, Armenia). I am an interdisciplinary artist, producer, maker, writer, student and educator. My work spans across dance, theatre, visual and digital art, film and video, transmedia, various forms of writing, and immersive installation.

Sarah Irvin, founder of the Artist Parent Index talks about how the project began, her thoughts on visibility of care taking in art, and her plans for the future of the index.

In the latest of our artist Q & A’s, Joetta Maue shares her creative process, how motherhood has impacted her everyday life and work (she gets A LOT done in one day!) and her hope that the invisible labour of women can become visible through talking, sharing and making art.

We caught up with Newcastle based artist member, Sofia Barton to find out what inspires her beautiful work, overcoming fear of failure and how painting became her lifeline when suffering from post natal depression.

Spilt Milk had the pleasure of getting to know American writer, artist and “An Artist Residency in Motherhood” participant, Minna Dubin who tells us more about the inspiration, creative process and long term goals behind her powerful three year project; #MomLists.