My name is Anna Ryan, and I’m a senior at the Santa Fe University of Art and Design in Santa Fe, New Mexico, working on my senior thesis in fine arts and art therapy. I am a passionate proponent of art as a healing medium and a medium for community growth and support—and a new mother. It was with this myriad of roles in mind that I pitched my thesis proposal to my faculty, and am now reaching out to my community.
In 2011, my daughter was one of 4 million children born in the United States. 24 out of every 100,000 of those children lost their mothers. The Center for Disease Control lists 2/3 of those maternal deaths as “entirely preventable,” the result of inadequate care or a lack of oversight, which prompted Amnesty International to officially label the maternal death rate in the U.S. a crisis. With 24 out of every 100,000 mothers dying, the United States ranks 41st in the world for maternal safety.
To help draw attention to this crisis and to the 640 women who’s deaths were entirely preventable, I am creating an installation in their honor. Exploring the rich tradition of mothers making dolls for their children, and with a nod to the doll’s history as a magic, religious, and healing icon, I am inviting the community to join me in creating 640 dolls as a testament to the mothers who will never make their child a doll.
These dolls may be yarn dolls, paper dolls, rag dolls, dolls fashioned from sticks or leather or porcelain or wood. There is no limit on materials; all I ask is that the doll be made by hand.
It was Carl Wilkens who wrote, “When we make something with our hands, it changes the way we feel, which changes the way we think.” By involving my community, I hope to reach not only the hands, but also the hearts and minds of others in order to bring healing.
If you would like to participate, or have any questions or comments, please feel free to contact me at Anna_Ryan@mail.com. Since the show goes up in April, anyone seeking to participate should send in their dolls by April 1st if possible! Also, please note if you want to be credited as a participant in the project (if not, your contribution will be listed Anonymous)
Also, please share this--this project, this blog, but most of all, this MESSAGE! Too many women are dying who never should.
Thanks!
In 2011, my daughter was one of 4 million children born in the United States. 24 out of every 100,000 of those children lost their mothers. The Center for Disease Control lists 2/3 of those maternal deaths as “entirely preventable,” the result of inadequate care or a lack of oversight, which prompted Amnesty International to officially label the maternal death rate in the U.S. a crisis. With 24 out of every 100,000 mothers dying, the United States ranks 41st in the world for maternal safety.
To help draw attention to this crisis and to the 640 women who’s deaths were entirely preventable, I am creating an installation in their honor. Exploring the rich tradition of mothers making dolls for their children, and with a nod to the doll’s history as a magic, religious, and healing icon, I am inviting the community to join me in creating 640 dolls as a testament to the mothers who will never make their child a doll.
These dolls may be yarn dolls, paper dolls, rag dolls, dolls fashioned from sticks or leather or porcelain or wood. There is no limit on materials; all I ask is that the doll be made by hand.
It was Carl Wilkens who wrote, “When we make something with our hands, it changes the way we feel, which changes the way we think.” By involving my community, I hope to reach not only the hands, but also the hearts and minds of others in order to bring healing.
If you would like to participate, or have any questions or comments, please feel free to contact me at Anna_Ryan@mail.com. Since the show goes up in April, anyone seeking to participate should send in their dolls by April 1st if possible! Also, please note if you want to be credited as a participant in the project (if not, your contribution will be listed Anonymous)
Also, please share this--this project, this blog, but most of all, this MESSAGE! Too many women are dying who never should.
Thanks!
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