Perinatal Dreaming invites the viewer to immerse themselves in a journey that negotiates the internal landscapes connected to pre-conception, conception, gestation, the birth process and early postnatal period. It is more than a unique and interesting adventure depicting an individual's intra-uterine, birth and early postnatal experiences; it explores and promotes the transformative and healing potential inherent in embracing a death/rebirth process.
"By merging traditional Indigenous knowledge and contemporary creative practices and technology, we are inspired to appreciate the importance of connection to family, beliefs, culture and country." (Uncle Bob Randall, 2007)
"By merging traditional Indigenous knowledge and contemporary creative practices and technology, we are inspired to appreciate the importance of connection to family, beliefs, culture and country." (Uncle Bob Randall, 2007)
Extracts from the thesis: Aboriginality, Art and the Perinatal. 2009.
Aboriginality, art and the human psyche are deeply interconnected. In Aboriginal philosophy, art is understood a a process by which the individual access and integrates the spiritual and unconscious dimensions (Langloh Parker, 1993). An individual's spirituality or dreaming is at once biographical and transpersonal, incorporating experiences prior to and during birth, and even prior to conception. Aboriginal culture has honoured these dimensions for thousands of years recognising the potential for spiritual transformation through creativity.
Traditional Western psychoanalysis constructs the self as composed of the conscious and unconscious mind, wherein the unconscious mind is thought to contain repressed emotions from infancy and childhood (Grof, S 1985). The pre and perinatal terrain can be described as unique, independent landscapes that reflect the individual's journey from conception through to the early postnatal. This framework is compatible with the Aboriginal notion of the self as deeply connected to ancestry, culture and country.
This body of artwork is an exploration of my lifelong search for identity. Adopted as an infant, into a loving, supportive family; I never the less, experienced the systematic deconstruction of my Western world view and simultaneously the emergence of a developing respect and understanding for the legitimacy of my inner experiences as an internal source of information. Legitimising my Indigenous heritage has had an enormous effect on my creativity, ideology, health and sense of well-being. Connectedness to one's individual Dreaming is the continuum that has kept Indigenous culture vibrantly alive over tens of thousands of years.
In Indigenous culture the realms of the pre and perinatal, were negotiated to initiate growth of consciousness and to develop spiritual maturity in the individual, elements that are essential to consolidate a harmonious collaboration and evolution within communities. The exploration of my identity as an artist, midwife and nurse; has given me a profound appreciation and respect for the holistic, Indigenous, wellness paradigm. Through consciously engaging and exploring the realms of the pre and perinatal landscapes, I have discovered experiences that resulted in feelings of 'otherness' and alienation, disconnection from mother, country and culture; all compounding an inherited toxic legacy from my ancestry, conception, gestation and birth. Uncovering and ultimately transcending these imprints have reconnected me to the rest of mankind.
Creative practices and mindfulness have supported me to recognise, acknowledge, transform and reconcile my earliest, traumatic imprints. I acknowledge my adoptive parents and family; as well as all those caring and innovative individuals who enabled me to encounter and embrace the darkness within. I remain grateful for the tools and skills that permitted me to visually and textually interpret the journey of self discovery, revealing my unique purpose and creative potential.
WARNING:
Before proceeding please note many of these images are graphic and confrontational. They have emerged from the unconscious dimensions of the human psyche and are connected to historical events from the Stolen Generations. Indigenous people and sensitive individuals may find they trigger emotional and physical reactions. These images illuminate the territories of birth and death.
They are inspired by actual events but are in no way mean't to be judgemental.
Seeking professional support from individuals who are skilled in supporting the emergence of such material may be helpful.
Aboriginality, art and the human psyche are deeply interconnected. In Aboriginal philosophy, art is understood a a process by which the individual access and integrates the spiritual and unconscious dimensions (Langloh Parker, 1993). An individual's spirituality or dreaming is at once biographical and transpersonal, incorporating experiences prior to and during birth, and even prior to conception. Aboriginal culture has honoured these dimensions for thousands of years recognising the potential for spiritual transformation through creativity.
Traditional Western psychoanalysis constructs the self as composed of the conscious and unconscious mind, wherein the unconscious mind is thought to contain repressed emotions from infancy and childhood (Grof, S 1985). The pre and perinatal terrain can be described as unique, independent landscapes that reflect the individual's journey from conception through to the early postnatal. This framework is compatible with the Aboriginal notion of the self as deeply connected to ancestry, culture and country.
This body of artwork is an exploration of my lifelong search for identity. Adopted as an infant, into a loving, supportive family; I never the less, experienced the systematic deconstruction of my Western world view and simultaneously the emergence of a developing respect and understanding for the legitimacy of my inner experiences as an internal source of information. Legitimising my Indigenous heritage has had an enormous effect on my creativity, ideology, health and sense of well-being. Connectedness to one's individual Dreaming is the continuum that has kept Indigenous culture vibrantly alive over tens of thousands of years.
In Indigenous culture the realms of the pre and perinatal, were negotiated to initiate growth of consciousness and to develop spiritual maturity in the individual, elements that are essential to consolidate a harmonious collaboration and evolution within communities. The exploration of my identity as an artist, midwife and nurse; has given me a profound appreciation and respect for the holistic, Indigenous, wellness paradigm. Through consciously engaging and exploring the realms of the pre and perinatal landscapes, I have discovered experiences that resulted in feelings of 'otherness' and alienation, disconnection from mother, country and culture; all compounding an inherited toxic legacy from my ancestry, conception, gestation and birth. Uncovering and ultimately transcending these imprints have reconnected me to the rest of mankind.
Creative practices and mindfulness have supported me to recognise, acknowledge, transform and reconcile my earliest, traumatic imprints. I acknowledge my adoptive parents and family; as well as all those caring and innovative individuals who enabled me to encounter and embrace the darkness within. I remain grateful for the tools and skills that permitted me to visually and textually interpret the journey of self discovery, revealing my unique purpose and creative potential.
WARNING:
Before proceeding please note many of these images are graphic and confrontational. They have emerged from the unconscious dimensions of the human psyche and are connected to historical events from the Stolen Generations. Indigenous people and sensitive individuals may find they trigger emotional and physical reactions. These images illuminate the territories of birth and death.
They are inspired by actual events but are in no way mean't to be judgemental.
Seeking professional support from individuals who are skilled in supporting the emergence of such material may be helpful.
Pre-Conception - the journey begins....
Conception and Wombtime....
am I wanted or not?
The First Stage of Labour - No Way Out!
The Second Stage of Labour - the Struggle to be Born
The Birth Experience - Death/Rebirth and the Early Postnatal
Alienation - Transformation and Coming Home
The Amniotic and Oceanic Universe and the Toxic Womb
The Birth Process
Pre-conception and Pre-natal existence
Pre-conception and connection to the Archetypal Realms
Women of Substance Exhibition - Celebrating 50 years of Print
Whitebox Gallery, Queensland College of Art, Griffith University
29th Feb - 13th March 2016
Powerpoint Files of Pre and Perinatal Images
|
|
|
Dreaming the Elements
From where we were one; sitting on a Coolamon nestled in the base of the Divine Womb (the Amniotic Universe), rests one of our Grandmother Ancestors – dreaming, then birthing the elements into existence. Her focus is on Australia and her intention is to create an abundance of rich experiences connecting us to the elements- ultimately Mother Earth, Wind, fire, water and the void.
Marianne Wobcke 2016.
This image reflects my longstanding interest in promoting transformation and well-being through creativity. Through collaborations on numerous projects over the last decade with Master printer Jenny Sanzaro-Nishimura and a shared love of all things art and printmaking,we are passionate advocates of promoting the understanding of the Perinatal Dimensions of the human psyche. We integrate our approach to spirituality through acknowledging and honouring the Divine Feminine in our artistic practice and lifestyle choices. We embrace our custodial responsibilities, approaching Eldership through our dedication to communicate the essential role of the Divine Feminine in transcending the Western Disease Model;by re-imagining a paradigm that respects collaboration, co-operation, creativity and well-being- we generate reconciliation.
My work reflects our connections to the Dreamtime and Wombtime spaces where the feminine provides unlimited nourishment through blissful connection to the amniotic and oceanic universes.
Acknowledgements:
I acknowledge the Matriarchal lineage of knowledge embracing Borning Lore - the Women of High Degree, the Wise Grandmothers; who were historically the caretakers and lore-makers. Their imminent connection to the Earth - the Mother is never lost and can't be broken or stolen.
I would like to acknowledge the ground breaking work of Dr Stanislav Grof, the father of transpersonal psychology; whose lifetime of dedicated research has made a profoundly significant contribution to our understanding of the pre and perinatal realms of the human psyche. I would refer you to his numerous publications which can be accessed through the Grof Transpersonal Training website. Grof credits his late wife Christina as his co-journeyer and instrumental collaborator, co-authoring as well as contributing her unique, literary works; all of which are highly regarded internationally.
I would also like to acknowledge the innovative work, support and mentor-ship of Tav Sparks; author, international workshop leader and owner and Director of the Grof Transpersonal Training, USA.
My deepest gratitude to my friend Mary Madden who was a guide and mentor for much of my tumultuous inner journey of self - discovery. And to my family and friends; especially my parents; Arthur and Joyce Wobcke who set the foundation of love, loyalty and endless support that has nourished me for a lifetime. And my most beloved canine companions,past and present. Sasha, Max, Tara, Lily and Jasper - who have been my most compassionate, faithful and extra-ordinary companions, teachers and guides.
I acknowledge the Matriarchal lineage of knowledge embracing Borning Lore - the Women of High Degree, the Wise Grandmothers; who were historically the caretakers and lore-makers. Their imminent connection to the Earth - the Mother is never lost and can't be broken or stolen.
I would like to acknowledge the ground breaking work of Dr Stanislav Grof, the father of transpersonal psychology; whose lifetime of dedicated research has made a profoundly significant contribution to our understanding of the pre and perinatal realms of the human psyche. I would refer you to his numerous publications which can be accessed through the Grof Transpersonal Training website. Grof credits his late wife Christina as his co-journeyer and instrumental collaborator, co-authoring as well as contributing her unique, literary works; all of which are highly regarded internationally.
I would also like to acknowledge the innovative work, support and mentor-ship of Tav Sparks; author, international workshop leader and owner and Director of the Grof Transpersonal Training, USA.
My deepest gratitude to my friend Mary Madden who was a guide and mentor for much of my tumultuous inner journey of self - discovery. And to my family and friends; especially my parents; Arthur and Joyce Wobcke who set the foundation of love, loyalty and endless support that has nourished me for a lifetime. And my most beloved canine companions,past and present. Sasha, Max, Tara, Lily and Jasper - who have been my most compassionate, faithful and extra-ordinary companions, teachers and guides.