silent labour | 2026

My work focuses on breastfeeding as a form of attachment between mother and child. This repetitive act, often idealised as natural and effortless, is in reality something both must learn. Since birth, I have kept a breastfeeding log to document our shared journey through its many phases. At times, our days felt timeless and blurred, but tracking feedings helped me grasp reality and stay connected through data. I now translate these records into a quilt using key materials that surrounded us after birth, such as wool, silk and cotton. Dyeing the cotton with black tea and apple pomace resembles the home practices that breastfeeding women turn to when experiencing pain. The quilt translates as a symbol of protection, connection and shared memories. As an experiment, a jacquard weave was developed alongside, using my notes translated into a pattern. Through a documentary approach, I use the data as both evidence and material to reflect on the invisible labour of motherhood and the societal expectations surrounding feeding and care. The work highlights how attachment is built through responsiveness — an ongoing act of attention, presence, and endurance. Size​s: Quilt: 125 x 200 cm Jacquard weave: 95 x 195 cm Material​s: Quilt: Self-dyed cotton, wool and silk Jacquard weave: cotton