Fatherhood, work in progress

I’m drawn to fatherhood as a space for artistic investigation and interested in how it might be reimagined as a site of care, tenderness, and transformation within a world burdened by patriarchy. I want to create images of fathers, and with fathers, that could be catalysts for that.

Why now..? The first picture below, that's my dad with me in the sling.

When I was 12 my dad, Bob - smiley, jazz-loving socialist with curly black hair and glasses - died of a brain tumour after a long illness. I was lucky to have a dad who was present and loving before that and a mum who wanted to continue parenting in his spirit after he died. Nevertheless, I came into adulthood without a father.

Now it’s my turn. Bobby was born in January 2024, named after my dad. She’s growing well and I’m blessed to have her in my life.

Adapting to my life as a dad has come in waves. Sometimes feeling - I’ve almost got this! But so often just battling to keep up with the endless bouncing, cleaning, cooking, working, attempting to socialise, with less than ideal sleep.

Under all of these day-to-day experiences I feel called to something deeper. A call to connect with my dad and all the ancestors that came before me, to listen, to learn how to be a good father and good ancestor myself.

There’s a lot of good advice out there about what nappy bin to buy and how to establish a routine. But I haven’t found any advice that’s helping me follow this deeper, quieter calling.

I’m looking for a small group of dads to be creative partners in this exploration. I’m interested in making a collaborative artwork that would be an offering to ourselves and others who are curious about this too.

Through creative activities, traditional story and our shared wisdom, I’d like to explore together: meaning we find in being fathers, connection with ancestors, resisting patriarchy in community, how deeply deeply fun it is sometimes, and whatever else comes up.

More of a territory to explore than a specific project at this stage, but some early images emerging below.