BOOK
REVIEW
Belly
- A Birthing Journal
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Finally, an Australian
publication which honours and celebrates the beauty of the pregnant
body and the sacred nature of pregnancy and birth. Sarah Nicholson
has created a journal full of inspiring works from artists, poets,
photographers and writers all around the country who have been touched
and inspired by their own initiation into the ancient mysteries
and creative power of the female body.
Belly is a balance of
visual art and written words, along with blank pages for your own
inspiration or memories to be recorded. Belly combines poetry, creative
writing and unique art such as sculptures made out of silk wood,
an emu egg and a lover's dreadlock, as well as mandala drawings
and ink cartoons. Becoming a mother can sometimes be overwhelming
as you surrender your body to nature and navigate the labyrinth
of birth and parenting choices - reading these pieces you are plunged
headlong into the nature and emotion, the fear and joy that parenthood
brings.
The myths our culture has created of 'Johnson and Johnson' babies
and birth are sorely lacking in heart and soul - Belly gives us
back some of that heart and as we see and read how other's souls
have been touched on their own journeys through motherhood, we learn
to honour our own. Fiona Giles' introduction to Belly sums it up
pefectly. She discusses the seductive idea of the Immaculate Conception
that permeates our cultures view of conception, pregnancy and birth
- no stains, unblemished and undefiled. Fiona suggests that perhaps
'miraculous' and 'immaculate' were confused somewhere along the
way with a 'celestial typo', with our culture attempting to hide
the fact that pregnancy is a nine month long cataclysmic sexual
event behind Peter Pan collars and pink flowered mainstream maternity
wear. Sarah, the creator of Belly has certainly achieved her aim
of "getting the pregnant belly out there in all it's glory"
to shed light on some of the taboos surrounding pregnancy.
Since the earliest recorded works of art, such as the paleolithic
Venus figurines from 35,000BC, humans have celebrated and honoured
the power and beauty of the pregnant female form through art and
sculpture. Women today continue to be creatively inspired by the
experience of surrendering their bodies to the power of life evolving
inside them as the contributors in Belly show - from professinal
artists and writers, to those who have simply been inspired to record
their own sacred journeys.
Belly is a beautiful
collection honouring the ultimate creative force and the wonder
of the female mystery which guides life into creation and existence.
Designed as a journal, it encourages you to creatively explore your
own journey through pregnancy, birth and early mothering.
Read an
interview with Sarah Nicholson, creator of belly.
Check out 'belly-a birthing
journal' online at www.bellyjournal.com
To Order a copy
or for inquiries contact Sarah
Cover Image - 'Two Hearts Make One Love', Elk Anstey.
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