Two Daughters
Celebrating the Works of Siân Davey & Sara Weir on World Down Syndrome Day
On World Down Syndrome Day, I think of two daughters photographed by mothers in the MEMORY CULT orbit.
Alice photographed by her mum and Visiting Artist Siân Davey and Edna photographed by her mom and member Sara Weir.
These mother-daughter diads use photography as exploratory and healing medium, "allowing me to see my life with one degree of separation," said Sara in her MEMORY CULT podcast.
I invite you to view two public and two members-only places where their stories and works are shared.
Everyone Has a Place
Though Looking For Alice the book is sold out from Trolly Books, I recommend viewing the images online and purchasing the pre-sale for The Garden, Siân’s forthcoming book. In an ode to Alice today on Instagram, Siân said The Garden is “informed by Alice and her view of humanity, that everyone has a place.”
When Siân visited, she spoke extensively of her photographic relationship with Alice and the potential for compassion and personal growth through image-making, leading me to title her talk The Personal Narrative. I continue to listen to it as a truly illuminating gem of encouragement and inspiration. When new members join it’s the first place I direct them.
From Resentment to Revelation
Sara joined me on the podcast for an episode titled The Courage to See where she described her project 3600 Hours: exclusively pumping for Edna for her first year of life and watching as their family of seven transformed to welcome its newest member. When she got the images back she wrote from them, going through a process of “resentment to revelation.”
Today on her Substack, Sara tells the story of the day their family learned of Edna’s diagnosis. It’s a beautiful piece of creative writing. I’m especially moved by this line: “I want to know you. A mother’s prayer.”
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