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This Artist Responds To Society’s Pressure On Women To Become Mothers By A Certain Age By Showing Pregnant GRANDmothers
The latest project by multidisciplinary artist Anna Radchenko tackles ageism. Titled GRANDmothers, it plays with the idea that we will eventually be able to have children later in life, to the extent that even as grandparents, we will have the choice to get pregnant.
Composed of a set of photographs and a short film, GRANDmothers stands as a humorous visual commentary on society’s pressure to become a mother by a certain age in order to still be considered valuable.
More info: Instagram | annaradchenko.com
Image credits: anna_radchenko
Shot in Russia in what used to be one of the leading gynaecological hospitals in the country, the 1911 Hospital has been unused since 2013. The location also plays with our perception, combining the new with the old. Channeling a strong post-soviet aesthetic, we find pop band posters hanging on the wall, as well as Russian propaganda prints praising the traditional family. The result is an apparent eclectic ensemble, aimed at challenging what we know and take for granted while leaving us wondering about what would happen if we stopped adhering to social norms and acting according to society’s expectations.
Image credits: anna_radchenko
Image credits: anna_radchenko
Artist’s statement: “I was thirty years old when I became a mother. This made me think about how in the USSR, I would have been referred to as an ‘Old Mother’ on my medical card. Which is crazy when you think about it. Childless women over the age of forty or fifty are often seen as purposeless and they are encouraged to embrace a more sedentary lifestyle. On the other hand, men are perceived as getting better with age. This mindset is particularly true to Russia, though still very much present all over the world.”
Image credits: anna_radchenko
Image credits: anna_radchenko
Image credits: anna_radchenko
“GRANDMothers is a reflection on this. It holds an element of criticism, but it’s also a positive reminder of how far we’ve come in terms of being able to make our choices. By having projects such as GRANDmothers published and shared online, I want to make a difference in shifting our mindset and allowing us to perceive ageing as something as valuable for women as it is for men.”
Image credits: anna_radchenko
Image credits: anna_radchenko
Image credits: anna_radchenko
Image credits: anna_radchenko
Image credits: anna_radchenko
Image credits: anna_radchenko
Image credits: anna_radchenko
Image credits: anna_radchenko
Image credits: anna_radchenko
Image credits: anna_radchenko
Image credits: anna_radchenko
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Short movie
GRANDmothers from Anna Radchenko on Vimeo.
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What do you think ?
Rose the Cook 4 years ago
Actually giving birth at an advanced age might be the easiest part. Think about caring for the baby, keeping up with an active toddler and later dealing with a recalcitrant teenager in your later years.
Lucille McGillicuddy 4 years ago
Not to mention it's very possible that you'll die before your kid turns 18, if you're having a kid in your 70s, 80, or even late 60's.
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Lillukka79 4 years ago
"Childless women over the age of forty or fifty are often seen as purposeless and they are encouraged to embrace a more sedentary lifestyle." So instead of showing we have purpose even with out procreating, you do this.
JeanBean_BC 4 years ago (edited)
Yeah...I was also wondering if it was healthy to carry at that age? Like it's your body so I'm not complaining but..just wondering.
Load More Replies...
Zophra 4 years ago (edited)
Menopause? Am I missing something? Are these women artificially inseminated and given hormone injections? Are they carrying the baby for another loved one - like a daughter who can't carry the pregnancy? I need more context.
Elaine Mattingly 4 years ago
I didn't go through menopause until my 60's, my doctor said it was because I began my cycle at a late age.
Load More Replies... Rose the Cook 4 years ago
Actually giving birth at an advanced age might be the easiest part. Think about caring for the baby, keeping up with an active toddler and later dealing with a recalcitrant teenager in your later years.
Lucille McGillicuddy 4 years ago
Not to mention it's very possible that you'll die before your kid turns 18, if you're having a kid in your 70s, 80, or even late 60's.
Load More Replies... Lillukka79 4 years ago
"Childless women over the age of forty or fifty are often seen as purposeless and they are encouraged to embrace a more sedentary lifestyle." So instead of showing we have purpose even with out procreating, you do this.
JeanBean_BC 4 years ago (edited)
Yeah...I was also wondering if it was healthy to carry at that age? Like it's your body so I'm not complaining but..just wondering.
Load More Replies... Zophra 4 years ago (edited)
Menopause? Am I missing something? Are these women artificially inseminated and given hormone injections? Are they carrying the baby for another loved one - like a daughter who can't carry the pregnancy? I need more context.
Elaine Mattingly 4 years ago
I didn't go through menopause until my 60's, my doctor said it was because I began my cycle at a late age.
Load More Replies...
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