Jena Sibille, a Small Gallery Exhibition April 3, 2004

April 3 - April 24
Jena Sibille, a Small Gallery Exhibition
opening reception Saturday April 3, 6-8 pm
panel discussion Saturday April 17, 6:00 pm

Fresh Milk - what comes to mind? A gallon of cold, homogenized white stuff complete with nutritional labeling and ready to pour over Fruit Loops? Or, a warm, watery pale liquid perhaps flavored by garlic, carrots, or curry dispensed from a container that walks, talks, thinks, makes love?

Upon giving birth to my son in Dec. 2002, my definition of milk evolved. I was struck by the significance of the experience of breastfeeding and the realization that it is quite momentous for many women. Even women who do not breastfeed, whether due to complications or personal choice, often find their situations impactful.

There are stories, multitudes of stories - good, bad, funny - that go unspoken "until your milk comes in." These stories and this experience are concealed in our culture. Despite medical research and legislation in support of breastfeeding, it is still considered by many as indecent, and human milk as taboo. This installation shares women's stories and confronts these taboos.