Framing motherhood
Debbie Todd’s striking portrait exhibition captures the beauty, chaos and complexity at the heart of Rachel Stockdale’s new play, Mother?
When Rachel Stockdale set out to create Mother? - her new verbatim theatre production exploring the realities of modern motherhood - she wanted to make space for honest conversations about the pressures, expectations and contradictions wrapped up in the role.
As the project got it first stage outing this week at ARC Stockton, a companion photography exhibition opened alongside it, offering another way into those conversations.
Photographer Debbie Todd has captured 30 striking portraits of mothers and caregivers whose voices helped shape the play, creating an exhibition which celebrates both the beauty and chaos of motherhood in all its forms.
Debbie says the collaboration with Rachel felt like a natural fit.
“I met Rachel at a Tees Valley New Creatives event in Stockton decided it would be great to work together as we have similar values.”
Those shared values are evident throughout the exhibition, which mirrors the ethos of Mother? by prioritising honesty over perfection.
The women Debbie photographed came from a wide range of backgrounds, with portrait sessions taking place in workshops, at participants’ homes and at her studio in Ushaw Historic House.
“It was great to photograph such a diverse range of mothers,” she says. “All the women were great sports and quite relaxed anyway because I think the whole ethos of the project is just come as you are, no judgement.”
That sense of authenticity was central to Debbie’s approach behind the camera.
“I just wanted everyone to feel represented as their true selves,” she explains. “Nobody had to dress up or be anything they didn’t want to be, although it was an option for them to dress up and come as they wish to be portrayed.”
Working on the project also prompted personal reflection.
“Probably how much I undervalued being a mother myself,” Debbie says when asked what surprised her most. “I think hearing the stories of the caregivers and connecting with them made me realise that it really is something very special and very tough to be a mother.”
Ultimately, she hopes the exhibition leaves visitors feeling both moved and reassured.
“I hope people will look at the images and just feel the depth of love that these mothers have for their children and empathise on the tough times that every parent has gone through raising a child.
“I hope most of all that it gives people who are currently raising children the reassurance that they are not alone and things can get tough and chaotic and crazy, but things can also be calm and beautiful - and that is the joy of being a mother, that all of these emotions interact with each other.”
The Mother? photography exhibition will be on display at ARC Stockton until July 7. The play will be performed at Live Theatre on June 30.