The project seeks to explore the complex nature of motherhood by curating and showcasing a range of diverse encounters, connections, and sentiments presented as individual multisensory portrayals.
The research intends to establish an anthology of personal encounters by distinct caregivers to uncover motherhood's intricate and interwoven facets in modern daily existence. This project features personal stories of motherhood, incorporating multimedia elements such as audio, photographs, illustrations, and video creations. These distinctive portraits will be harnessed to create interactive data visualizations to illuminate the manifold array of maternal experiences while questioning prevailing norms.
The research blends elements of autoethnography and heuristic inquiry with the principles of metamodernism and data feminism. This research journey is deeply personal and rooted in my transition into motherhood. It has uncovered a spectrum of maternal expectations shaped by societal norms and cultural heritage, which I've grappled with and celebrated.
Coming from a unique cultural background, my exploration of maternity care in New Zealand has highlighted the clashes between these two worlds – each with its values and perspectives, bridging Western and Eastern traditions. I've engaged in dialogues with peers and women navigating similar journeys to find solace and understanding. These conversations reveal a complex interplay of realities intertwined with factors like culture, race, class, and gender. They challenge conventional roles attributed to maternal and caregiving relationships, even prompting questions about the applicability of motherhood to fathers, guardians, and non-binary individuals.
Shifting views on motherhood over time emphasize diverse maternal experiences, urging a deeper understanding of different cultures.