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Motherhood and Poetry

When: —
Venue: Birkbeck 43 Gordon Square

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Hosted by MaMSIE (Mapping Maternal Subjectivities, Identities and Ethics) and the Department of Psychosocial Studies, Birkbeck

 

Organizers: Jenny Mitchell and Matthew Geary

Chairs: Lisa Baraitser and Sigal Spigel

Speakers and Readers; Alan Bristow, Carolyn Jess-Cooke, Matthew Geary, Keith Jarrett, Jenny Mitchell, Helen Mort, Deirdre Osborne, Jenny Pagdin, Rahila Gupta 

‘Mothers don’t write, they are written’, wrote Susan Rubin Suleiman in 1985, quoting the psychoanalyst Helene Deutsch. The repetition of this statement gestured towards the repetitive ways that western culture and patriarchal ideologies write the mother over and over again whilst simultaneously expunging and silencing her. This event focuses on poetry; poetry by mothers, about mothers, mothering and being mothered.

The afternoon symposium (2-5pm) brings together a range of academics and poets to look at maternal form and poetics; ambivalence; and maternal mental health and post-partum psychosis. We will examine how these maternal concepts, issues and experiences inform each other, and how motherhood poetry continues to challenge maternal ideals, their essentialist assumptions, and the ideologies that underpin them. Panel discussions will include poetry readings as well as academic reflections.

The symposium is preceded by a Creative Writing Workshop (10.30-1.00pm) led by award-winning writer, Jenny Mitchell. Jenny will facilitate a supportive session, open to all, that looks at the importance of the mother in poetry. Participants will be given examples of work by established poets to discuss; and prompts to stimulate their own writing.

The event concludes with a wine reception to celebrate the publication of Jenny’s debut collection. Her Lost Language https://www.indigodreams.co.uk/jenny-mitchell and the 10th Year Anniversary Issue of Studies in the Maternal.

The Symposium is free of charge, and refreshments are provided, but booking is essential. The Creative Writing Workshop has 15 spaces available (£5.00 waged and free for unwaged and students)

You are welcome to book for both or just one of the events.

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Contact phone: 02076367