These astonishing and touching portraits of motherhood are on display in a must-see exhibition right now

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The celebrated portrait photographer Carolyn Mendelsohn has been working with the Maternal Mental Health Alliance to create a new series of important and poignant portraits.

Currently on show at an exhibition at PhotoFusion, Brixton, until the 1^st August, the portraits reveal the hidden realities of motherhood and mental health by using portrait photography alongside still life and audio.

The portraits have been created in collaboration with ten women with the lived experience and it is hoped that the exhibition will raise awareness of perinatal mental illness, and offer hope that recovery is possible.

A portrait of a woman wearing a denim jacket — Karah – A story of hyperemesis gravidarum and mental health. © Carolyn Mendelsohn

A still life of a bucket and a blanket — “I spent every day in bed. Or in the bathroom trying to sleep to pass the time. Nothing could take away the sadness, the sickness .The isolation.”

A handwritten letter — A letter Karah wrote about her experiences.

Speaking of the work, and the portrait-sitters, Carolyn says, “I feel so honoured to have worked with these extraordinary women, who shared their stories with such honesty and coverage. This commission gave me a rare chance, as an artist, to reflect on my own lived experience too. More than anything, I hope these portraits help open conversations, so others feel heard, supported, and know they’re not alone.”

Some startling facts about perinatal mental illness need to be taken into consideration when looking through this work. It is known to affect as many as 1 in 4 women, and in 1 in 10 dads and non-birthing partners. Without treatment, these illnesses can be devastating. The leading cause of death between six weeks and one year after pregnancy, shockingly, is suicide. With timely and appropriate support, recovery is possible.

By working alongside the participants, Carolyn has shown these women as they are now. Taking up space with power, vulnerability and hope. Each of the portraits in the series is paired with another image which symbolises the woman’s mental health journey, such as a still life, a significant object or a remembered scene.

For each sitter, Carolyn asked them to write a letter which has been printed on muslin and is included as part of the installation. She says, “This line, along with the muslin, is rich in symbolism. Together, they carry the weight and intimacy of your words – stories woven from your experiences of parenthood, with all the complexity, emotion, experience and resilience that comes with it.”

Each participant has been sensitively worked with. Each story is represented with care. Carolyn also recorded interviews with each of the sitters, to shape their voices into short audio pieces, which can also be heard online for those who can’t make the exhibition.

A book including all of the portraits can also be bought, and it makes for a beautiful and moving read. You can read more about this fantastic project and the work surrounding it by visiting the This is Also Motherhood website – it’s also where you can buy a copy of the book, and hear the audio from the stories featured in the exhibition.

The exhibition: This is Also Motherhood runs until 1^st August at PhotoFusion Brixton.

A portrait of a woman wearing a pink top — Raiye – A story of young motherhood and suicidality © Carolyn Mendelsohn

A hand writing a letter — “The day I reached my lowest, I remember thinking ‘I can’t live like this’.I sat on the floor, and cried for hours. I wrote his name at the top of the page. My son, my world.” © Carolyn Mendelsohn

A portrait of a woman — Catherine – A Story of postpartum psychosis. © Carolyn Mendelsohn

A still life of a notebook — “I now think of psychosis as a spark – Carrying the light of all things, all the stories of the past – and it took just one spark to set it aflame.” © Carolyn Mendelsohn

A still life of a Coca Cola can — “Paralysis, I can’t I can’t I can’t do it . There’s a lion waiting to rip into me if I put it to my lips. What sort of monster worries more about calories than whether their baby is alive?” © Carolyn Mendelsohn

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