Breastfeeding will take centre stage this summer when The Holding Time Project comes to Coventry.

Holding Time Project Coventry | Overcoming the Cultural Barriers to Breastfeeding

Holding Time is a multi-disciplinary project that seeks to celebrate the diversity of breastfeeding in Coventry, overturn stereotypes, challenging assumptions about breastfeeding  and encouraging greater understanding and awareness in the whole community. 

This multi-disciplinary, multi-channel, multi-media art project has be co-created by mothers, as part of a lottery funded initiative by Visual Artist Lisa Creagh.

The project includes, writing, photography, video and installation shown in various locations across the city as well as online and on social media:

1.  A series of six  Zoom Storytelling workshops over six weeks starting on 8th March 2021. 

A series of zoom writing workshops will explore individual breastfeeding experiences, looking at inherited breastfeeding cultures vs women who are creating new breastfeeding traditions within their own families. In partnerships with Voluntary Arts and BBC Radio Coventry & Warwickshire, this program will  offer an enriched opportunity for discussion amongst participants. The workshops will be led by writer and Producer, Rachel New. 

2.  A series of VLOGS 

Mothers will be asked for their views on breastfeeding, whether positive or negative. These interviews conducted by the artist, will be edited and released on social media as five minute VLOGS the Coventry events. To view existing VLOGS from the project visit www.youtube.com/c/holdingtime 

3. Breastfeeding Portraits

Breastfeeding mothers are sought for a photo shoot  in March/April. This photoshoot is intended to raise awareness of the diversity and range of mother’s breastfeeding in Coventry. Mothers are invited to pose for portraits by the artist at a temporary COVID safe studio at Arcadia Gallery in City Arcade in the town centre, scheduled for early April. The resulting portraits will be shown at University Hospital Coventry and Warwick Labour Ward in the summer. 

We are particularly interested in images that reflect the diversity of the city’s breastfeeding culture: from teen mothers, to mothers of multiple children, tandem feeding mothers and mothers expressing breastmilk. Whatever your breastfeeding decision, please get involved. 

To sign up click HERE.

Please note the images used are Copyright The Holding Time Project.