Tell me about your mother

[Aqualegia]

I was at an Arts' Festival on Sunday and met Tracey Kershaw, who is currently running a project entitled "Tell Me About Your Mother"

traceykershaw.co.uk/projects/tell-me-about-your-mother/

People were invited to sit in a comfy chair, give a few moments' thought to their mother, write a few words and then post them (anonymously) into a box. Tracey then printed out a few onto a calico material and hung them on a washing line (looked incredible).

It was strangely moving for me. I ended up writing something like, "She came from a long line of mothers who didn't enjoy being mothers. By being brave and honest enough to admit this to me, she enabled me to transform the future of that line" ... which is better than my usual lazy condemnation of her limited mothering capacity.

Over to you. Imagine it on a washing line, flapping gently in a nice breeze :)

Please excuse typos

My mum is quite simply the best I could have asked for. I put her and my dad through hell in my teenage years, but she dealt with it in exactly the right way until I eventually saw sense. I have always felt loved and cherished and I know she is reason I am the person today! I can only hope I can be the same influence in my sons life as she has been in mine. I love you mum.

Angry, that sounds just like my mum, you said it much better than me!

Susie, your post resonated with me as well.

I think about my mum every day even though she has been dead for 20 years.

Died while I was still a toddler.

I never knew her at all.

Selfish, home wrecking trampy. Constantly reminds you if all your failures and how she's perfect. Never wrong because it was your fault, she'll want to know you for a whole but once she's found a new toy to play with you'll be left on the floor.

She'll also threaten to take your children and file false mental health reports on you because she's a horrid vindictive narcissistic bitch.

aww I want to hand out hugs now.....

My mum did her best. She is naturally selfish and lacks empathy. Makes ridiculous decisions at times. An only child of a lovely lady who also did her best but with whom she had a poor relationship.

Very clever and smart and prides hard work and ruthless ambition over gentleness and compassion.

Married to a completely unsuitable man. Kids very damaged by a dysfunctional and unhappy home.

I love my mum very much. But I don't plan to replicate my own children's upbringing in many ways!

From her own very tough, abusive childhood she did her utmost best to change the record for her own children - but having simply swept her own demons under the carpet she often struggles hugely with repression of feelings and expressions of love and warmth. But she has better reason than most for her flaws.

I owe her my values, my music, my education, my curiosity. She is a good, caring person and I love her and appreciate the efforts she made and continues to make.

For someone who never knew her own mother she did a wonderful job & I'd be lost without her

She never wanted children and thinks that money is the only thing that matters.

My Mum is the best Mum in the world...I truly believe that.

She died twelve years ago. What I would give to be able to touch her and talk to her again.

Hello, I'm Tracey Kershaw, the artist who created the installation that was mentioned in the first post on this thread. Firstly I'd like to thank the person who created the first post and brought it to everyones attention, and then to say that it has been wonderful to see all the comments that everyone has put here. Thank you all for transferring your thoughts to keyboard - they really have been a joy to read….

My website has already been mentioned in the first post, but if anyone would like to follow the project as it develops, I also have a Facebook page dedicated to it at www.facebook.com/tellmeaboutyourmother

I continue to collect thoughts and stories and develop the project, so feel free to get in touch via my website or FB page if you would like to contribute.

Also, If you have already posted your thoughts here, could you let me know, either by posting a message here or directly to me, whether you would be prepared for me to use your words in my future installations. Everything is presented anonymously, and you would be free to withdraw your permission at any time.

Many thanks again for your interest in the project.

Would be happy for my words to be usedTracy, a real tribute to my wonderful Mum.