Northwestern Feminist-in-Residence Kyrin Hobson has been working on a groundbreaking art project focused on Black maternal health and health equity. The project, titled “From a Black Womb,” expands on her previous work interviewing family members in Louisiana about midwifery and herbalism. At Northwestern, Hobson began the project by interviewing students, faculty, and staff, which she translates into visual form using kinesthetic empathy.
This process involves mirroring and mark making on paper based on the gestures of the interviewees. The mixed media paintings are done on recyclable, waterproof paper. Hobson describes the paintings as intimate interior landscapes that portray how individuals perceive their bodies and the experiences they have had. Regardless of whether the stories shared were about childbirth, gynecological health, or the decision not to have children, Hobson considers them all to be survival stories. By taking a humanizing approach rather than focusing solely on statistical data, the project opens up new discussions about Black individuals overcoming preeclampsia, preterm labor, and uterine disorders.
Hobson will be providing an overview of the project at the Women’s Center Garden Party on Thursday, May 30, and will hold a final project presentation and reception on Tuesday, June 4. The finished project will include a dozen paintings and textual collages put together from interview transcripts. Additionally, Hobson is working with moving image artist Ireashia Bennett to create an immersive interactive digital platform for the project. For more information about Northwestern’s Feminist-in-Residence and the “From a Black Womb” project, interested individuals can visit the project website or contact the Women’s Center.
