Artist Marie Brett’s collaboration with community of interest to pregnancy and infant loss.
Following the initial research phase, the artist Marie Brett went on to develop a second stage of work. Her intention was to use the learning and inspiration gained from the research, to produce a new and ambitious artwork in response to the idea of an amulet, or keepsake object, as that of a memorial marker to infant loss.
This phase of work was national, multi-sited and the first of its kind in the country. The artist collaborated with bereaved parents from four counties, together with staff at three Irish maternity hospitals / units: Cork University Maternity Hospital, University Maternity Hospital Limerick and Waterford Regional Hospital. Numerous special advisors and arts, health, educational and community development organisations also supported the work.
The Amulet Project has pioneered new methods of collaborative practice in Ireland. The artwork produced titled ‘Anamnesis’, gives opportunity to explore how a country’s informed social mores and cultural identity surrounding pregnancy and infant loss, have the potential to shift; such a shift running parallel to Ireland’s changing socio-cultural landscape.
