London’s Wellcome Collection is a great spot for solace before catching the train I find. Last autumn, in the gallery’s shop I found myself transfixed by an image on the sleeve of Eve – The Disobedient Future of Birth (Horn, 2023). The book questioned my perception of pregnancy in ways I struggled with. Because we have the ability to use science to facilitate birth in changing ways, should we? In considering the rights of potential parents, where is the voice of the child?

This work explores the creation of a child within the structure of societal norms. Made in unison with my husband we cut up pink and blue used clothing; to french knit a giant umbilical chord. The piece was made within the hours of natural daylight and worked until hands were sore and light was lost. 

The chord was later entwined with computer cable and wired up to a found slow cooker; the doll, mouth taped, tied into the pot.