Project aims to show 'true essence of motherhood'

Karni Arieli has collated images sharing an authentic representation of motherhood from women around the world

The founder of an international photography project set up during the pandemic for women to share their "authentic representation" of motherhood is fundraising to protect the collection as part of history.

Karni Arieli, 50, from Bristol, came up with the idea of the Eye Mama Project in 2020, to counter the unrealistic images she was seeing of motherhood on social media while juggling parenting and working during Covid.

Now with about 70,000 images taken and sent to her by women from more than 60 countries, Ms Arieli, said the collection helps represent the "true essence of motherhood, which has remained hidden for too long".

She hopes to raise £35,000 to sustain and archive the project.

Ms Arieli said she wanted to capture the rawness of motherhood in all its guises

Ms Arieli, who was a 2024 BAFTA nominee with her husband Saul Freed for their film Wild Summon, said the project sits on the exact junction she was at in her own life in 2020, as a mother, a photographer and filmmaker.

"I never see my reality and the juggle and duality and imperfections and that's what led me to begin this. It's a passion project that ballooned," she said.

Through the Eye Mama project different journeys are represented through pictures of IVF, miscarriages, birth, fostering and adoption.

Ms Arieli wants to archive the images to safeguard them from the censorship present on social media

Motherhood is both joyous and exhausting and it is important to share all the parts of it without judgement, Ms Arieli said

"Motherhood is a multifaceted experience. It is both a joyous and exhausting journey, one that carries with it moments of profound love, overwhelming frustration, and deep vulnerability," she added.

"The days after birth can be so intense and crazy and it's not really spoken about. It can be one of the most dangerous moments and it really bonds us as women.

"And motherhood is for everyone, not just for mothers, because we're all children," and the stories told through the pictures are widely relatable, she said.

The Eye Mama collection shows different journeys women go through to become mothers, including pregnancy, birth, IVF, fostering, adoption and carers

There more than 70,000 images taken and sent to Ms Arieli for the portfolio, by women from more than 60 countries

Ms Arieli said motherhood can often be unsupported and [can lead] to isolation and feelings of inadequacy and failure, despite its universal significance. And has long been underrepresented in ways that capture its complexity.

"So the Eye Mama Project aims to change that by offering a platform where motherhood is shown in all its forms; as self-portraits of mothers navigating their own realities, embracing moments of strength and fragility."

The images help "illuminate the work of care and shine a light on the women who perform it through photography, helping to validate their experiences, because feeling seen makes us feel less alone," she added.

"We need a village, and dads and grandparents are part of this story too, every carer needs support."

Motherhood and the needs of carers has long been underrepresented in media images says the artist

If archived, the collection could help future generations understand motherhood at this time in history, Ms Arieli said

Over the last five years, Ms Arieli has managed the work herself and hopes the funding will help continue the project in a more sustainable way in the long term.

"Then people can look back at this time and say 'this is what motherhood looks like', which we can't do in other time on history because it doesn't exist."

The photographers have taken the image they feel represents their truth in motherhood

Saving and preserving the "unique portfolio of care", ensures the voices continue to be seen, heard, acknowledged and celebrated for years to come, Ms Arieli said.

"To create a first ever motherhood image archive, for the future of us, and care, is empowering the invisible," she said.

"Because if you see yourself in these images then I think you feel less alone."

Ms Arieli wants to empower mothers to feel seen, heard and supported