Mum's not the word: Childless Childfree

(Hardback)

Publishing Details

Classifications

Physical Properties

Description

A groundbreaking photobook about women without children. The nude images challenge the negative attitudes within society towards women who are not mothers, and the text shares their stories of birth and death, choice, freedom, pain ... and regret. 50 colour images show real nude women in the foetal position: they come from all walks of life - professionals, artists: a few have mental health issues or disabilities; some have fragile relationships with their birth mother; a couple identify as other than heterosexual. Mum's not the word debates the social stigmatisation of women, who, by choice, circumstance or, for whatever reason, go against the instinct for childbirth and maternal productivity.

Reviews

Denise Felkin's book challenges stereotypes of the fifth of women in the UK who have no children. Her striking photographs show women of varying ages lying naked on a duvet in the foetal position, with accompanying commentary that tells of failed infertitly treatment, infant loss, unintended singleness and contented, clear-sighted choice. i News. Felkin's photographs and concept for the book is just stunning and covers all reason as to why a woman may not have children. I loved it, I love how it's so raw and genuine and speaks so clearly to the subject of not having children and how it gives a platform and a voice to us! Anowherhood.

Author Bio

Denise Felkin is a British photographer. Her photography migrates between creative portraiture and documentary photography. She is driven by research-led projects, and collaborates with her subjects to create cutting-edge images that speak about current issues, to reveal a truthful voice, and promote unity, equality and compassion. When Denise was nineteen, she told her mother that she did not want children. Her mother immediately dismissed her admission, and said she would feel differently when she was older; she never did. Now aged fifty, Denise has conceived a book of images of women who do not have children. Denise was a finalist in the Sony World Photography Awards 2016, National Open Art 2017, and received an Honorable Mention in the Julia Margaret Cameron Award: Women Seen by Women 2018.