The Presence of Absence

It occurs to me that there is a difference between “just” absence and the presence of absence. An absence can be something one exists with and is conscious of without any concern, it can also be something that is experienced more viscerally as a lack. We could define the latter phenomenon as the presence of absence.

The human-reproductive binary is foundational in our notions of gender and very much emphasised socio-culturally. My experience as a man and separated father has been that in our anglophone neo-liberal capitalist and patriarchal culture, we undervalue men and fathers as caregivers. It has also been my observation that we somewhat fetishise maternity in women. Culturally then we ill-prepare men to be the men, fathers and caregivers we might need and want them to be, but similarly we continue to inhibit women’s lives outside of maternity.

My intention is to make a series of images that explore the presence of absence for men like myself, separated fathers and for women like my partner who cannot conceive. By highlighting these personal truths I hope to cause reflection and stimulate debate on the damaging socio-cultural truths that are at the root.