"The Child Who Was Never Born"

[BertrandRussell]

People are sharing this picture on my Facebook- AIBU to be angry and want to say something? Just want to make sure I'm not over reacting.

I hate how this artist chose to use his talent to manipulate the emotions of women who have chosen to terminate pregnancies. I am appalled that any man would think he has the right to define the spirit of the mother/child relationship to suit his ideology.

My thoughts are with all of you who have experienced a pregnancy loss I'm sorry if this conversation has caused you any further upset. You have a right to value any piece of art that brings a measure of comfort to you.

Secretwitch- I'm sorry, but we have a right to discuss this image. I realize that it's very difficult, but it is an important issue.

You know, I think I'd be far more accepting of this sculpture if it had been made by a woman - whether it was dealing with her feelings of guilt over abortion, or her grief at miscarriage - because then it would be someone trying to explore their own feelings through art.

As it is, it's a male artist which makes me thinks he's either casting judgement on the women by saying that she ought to feel grief or guilt for whichever situation, or he's trying to appropriate a female experience that he will never truly understand because he wants to make a statement. Probably both.

I also believe it's that lack of innate understanding that caused the artist revert to the classic Christian imagery that makes me feel uncomfortable.

I have had mcs and am an atheist, and don't believe in angels etc. I find the sculpture quite upsetting. I would be pissed off with a friend posting it on FB unless I suppose it had personal resonance for them.

Guess it shows how much art can provoke.

I think it's tacky. I've had early miscarriages and to be honest my way of dealing with them is that they aren't babies yet, just potential ones. That made me less upset.

I've never had an abortion. I have known many women who have. Women feel a range of emotions from immense relief to guilt and despair and lots of emotions in between.

However if it touches a lot of people, I'm pleased. To be honest I don't think worth being indignant about. If it outrages you, you're allowed to feel outraged , if it comforts you good.

Whichever way anyone looks at this sculpture. Whether miscarriage or abortion I think its really heartbreaking. Bought tears to my eyes. Ive never seen it before.

It may be the wine but it certainly makes me feel like crying. And that is a reaction that goes beyond whatever the artist's intent may have been, and is all about my responses, my losses etc.
Sharing it on Facebook is another matter entirely. I'm surprised in fact that Facebook isn't mentioned in Leviticus as it is surely the work of the devil.