Motherpod

Motherpod, 2023
273cm x 91cm x 91cm
Knitting donated by Mother-in-Law, mixed media

This sculpture is inspired by spores, pollen, and cellular patterns often found in plant cells. The knitting represents the organised systems that cells form in order to create new structures and situates the sculpture in the domestic sphere in the use of traditional crafting technique.
The concept of this piece is meant to reflect on the idea of motherhood and that which brings life. The orb forms a nest of sorts, with stamen like protrusions and glittering glass orbs meant to evoke the idea of pollen grains. A smaller structure similar, yet of different material is found nesting in the tail of the black knitted fabric and is filled with the same glass beads found in the main orb.
This is meant to be a reflection upon the idea of chosen family, where the mother and child while not of the same species, still pass on the same values from one generation to the next despite not being directly genetically related.
The sculpture is soft, yet holds some threat in the darkness within the orb and the colours used. This intention behind this is to reflect Charlie’s feeling that motherhood is an intimidating concept, but ultimately one that can take on many forms.