Monica Wiesblott just closed a beautiful exhibition of her artwork in her show Barren: Life on Infertile Soil. If you didn’t make it the show, you can view it in her online gallery of the show.
I didn’t go to the show, even though I wanted to meet Monica and the gallery is just a couple of hours from my home. My mum is still here with me and I just wasn’t ready to take her with me nor was I able to get away alone. If you’ve been reading this blog for a while, you’ll know that, although my mother knows about my infertility, we don’t really talk about it, and I’m okay with that. I get to talk to you about it instead. J So I wasn’t ready to open up that Pandora ’s Box with my mother by taking her to the show. Maybe one day, maybe not.
But I did view Monica’s show online, in the privacy of my own room. It’s beautiful and frank, sometimes even raw, but most of all it is courageous. Monica has put out there in photographs and sculpture, what many of us who have dealt with infertility, or who are otherwise childless-not-by-choice, have felt and experienced.
Monica told me:
“I have received a lot of wonderful positive response from the show, many people have cried in the gallery and many, many others have trusted me enough to share their stories of loss. I am usually approached with the words, “I have never told anyone this….”
It’s my hope that if people like Monica keeping talking and showing, fewer women will have to say, “I have never told anyone this….”
Please check out the show online. Monica is hoping to take the show to other galleries, so if you happen to move in artistic circles and can help, please let Monica know.
A childless woman too, I’m pleased to come across your blog and look forward to joining in current and future conversations. In the meantime, thanks for championing Monica’s online exhibition, Barren: Life on Infertile Soil. Sorry I missed it. It is touching and links me instantly to feelings that perhaps only someone who doesn’t have children can feel.
Childlessness, even if it is by choice, is an all consuming topic. It is a lifetime decision. It really is complicated. My novel, The Barrenness, coming spring 2011, gave me an opportunity to really delve into the subject, and hopefully will do the same for others. I can only hope it will get more people talking about it.
Again thanks for your blog, your openness.
Best,
Sonja
Sonja,
You’re absolutely right. It never does go away. Glad you found us here. Please let me know when your book comes out. I’d love to share it here.
Hi Lisa,
I am so glad I found your blog as well. I really like listening to the voices so to speak. Will definitely continue to follow, and do like the idea of subscribing, so much so that I am changing my comment facility to work this way.
I notice that you have memoirs coming, is that right? Anyhow, will keep you posted on the novel, and appreciate your willingness to share.
Best,
Sonja