"I am my mother / Je suis ma mère"

Honouring the unseen labor of mothers and the ties the shape us​

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"I am my mother / Je suis ma mère" is an immersive installation that explores the transmission of knowledge and generational trauma from mother to daughter. At first glance, the phrase “I am my mother” may carry a negative connotation, as we are socially conditioned to rebel against our mothers, to distance ourselves from previous generations. However, there is a profound beauty in accepting that a part of our mother exists within us and that we, in turn, pass down knowledge to our own children.

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The installation consists of three large panels of sheer white fabric, adorned with hand-printed monarch butterflies and delicate embroidery featuring the phrase “I am my mother / Je suis ma mère.” A layered soundscape of real testimonials from mothers of diverse backgrounds accompanies the piece, sharing their reactions to this statement. During my research, I was struck by the depth of emotion in these testimonies and the unexpectedly hopeful tone as mothers expressed their desires for themselves and their children.

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Monarch butterflies take three generations to complete their extraordinary migration from Mexico to Canada, undergoing complete transformation at each stage. This powerful metaphor perfectly illustrates the inherited wisdom within us—the legacy of past generations—and our ability to evolve and heal from past traumas. The three fabric panels reference both the meticulous, often invisible labor of women and the three generations within a family: grandmother, mother, and daughter. As visitors move through the space—perhaps accompanied by their own children—the fabric shifts with their presence, mimicking the fluttering wings of butterflies while gradually revealing the embroidered words.

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The immersive soundscape invites viewers to pause, listen, and reflect on their own experiences. Presented in community galleries and artist-run centers, the installation also encourages audience participation. A QR code integrated into the piece allows visitors to contribute their own testimonies, further enriching the collective narrative of motherhood and transformation.