|.in.and.out.|

she heard echoes from a world, 
she had failed to see before

Absence Unbothered 2023

Every little things matter.

My mother lost all her valuables when she left her husband. The beautiful clothes, jewellery, everyday goods. What she didn’t lose were her two kids and the resolve to provide them with a good life away from the shadows – despite the adversity, despite having barely anything herself.

 

And she worked hard, standing tall and independent, warmly holding in her arms and giving us peace. Sometimes, she would miss her old things: things she had to leave behind; things she would weave into stories for us; things she has now collected through perseverance: the mana to measure rice for us, the karuwa to fill with clear water, the dalaa never short of grains.

 

‘Absence unbothered’ is a story of that very perseverance and love with which my mother raised us without the husband’s presence – the absence that troubles no more.

Motherhood is not an easy journey and it is many times more difficult for a single mother. Especially in a society so comfortable with patriarchy like ours, man-made limitations for women and mothers begin at the root in families, inherited cultural practices and traditions- adding an inescapable sense of rigidity and terrible oppression. Yet, one must not forget the strength and resilience of single mothers, who raise their children through much hardship and isolation. This power, incredible and inspirational, is at the core of the artworks by Sofiya who was also raised by a single mother. The striking images and vivid expressions recall her mother's determination to provide her children with a creative and caring life, without her husband's support; and, in the process, remind the viewer to pause and reflect on our own connections with our mothers.
Bidhata K.C
Curator