Hackney,
29
May
2018
|
17:11
Europe/London

Bump Buddies exhibition launches at Hackney Museum

Bump Buddies exhibition

A new display at Hackney Museum tells the stories of motherhood in Hackney, exploring the triumphs and the trials that come with being a new parent.

Curated by a group of mums working with the Shoreditch Trust’s Bump Buddies programme and Hackney Museum, the exhibit tells real life stories of motherhood in Hackney in 2018.

The display focuses on the lives of five women, presented in life size photographic portraits alongside their children. Though the backgrounds of these women may differ, the often invisible challenges and victories of motherhood can be a shared experience. The life size images look the visitor in the eye, to engage and get people thinking about their own experiences as parents.

As well as creating the display itself, the women also added a small play area with picture books and toys in the space, for parents and children to use. Free postcards, designed by one mum with inspirational quotes, are available for visitors to keep or send to mothers they know. There is also a chance to hear original music created by one mum during a time she was experiencing domestic abuse and depression.

One Bump Buddies participant, Kirsty Suttling, 27 from Dalston said: “I've enjoyed the empowerment of being part of this project. It has given me the confidence to speak out, stand up and be heard- not just about problems in my own personal life, but the struggles of other mothers and the wider community. People should visit the exhibition, there is a lot of information you can take away and it gives you a sense that as a mother you are not alone, which feels empowering.”

The project was supported by the V&A, Hackney Council and the Shoreditch Trust, which operates Bump Buddies to bring Hackney women together to share skills and experiences and support those in pregnancy and early parenthood.

 

Cllr Jon Burke, Cabinet Member with responsibility for Hackney Museum
This inspiring exhibition gives an insight into what it means to be a mother and a Hackney resident today, from the challenges, to the joys and everlasting friendships you make as a new parent. I’m really pleased that our residents can visit the display and hear the shared stories of motherhood and find out more about the support on offer for parents in Hackney.
Cllr Jon Burke, Cabinet Member with responsibility for Hackney Museum

The exhibition will launch on 7 June, with a public event from 5-7pm. It will be open until 5 January 2019. For more information on Hackney Museum including address and opening times please visit the Hackney Museum webpage. To find out about Bump Buddies and how to get involved contact Shoreditch Trust on 020 7033 8524.