As we all come through the portal that is our mother’s womb, the mother becomes such a powerful representation in our lives. Through her, we experience unconditional love and warmth; through her, we experience an unbreakable bond and connection.

I had been thinking of Iyalawo, who was Emiomo’s consort in the previous show, and how their union would bring about a new being/child who would embody different aspects of themselves and their lineage into one individual—their child. It’s something my partner and I had been discussing and meditating on: this merging of our lineages on a biological level, but also the meeting and union of our ancestors through us having a child.

In a way, I also wanted to highlight the strength of the mother as a refuge. Hence, her body appears statuesque and monolithic, somewhere the child may seek refuge and warmth.