Event Description

Lucy Jones, author of Matrescence: On the Metamorphosis of Pregnancy, Childbirth and Motherhood, joins virtually for a live panel discussion exploring the physical, psychological and social transformation of becoming a mother.

Her book has helped bring the concept of matrescence into wider public conversation, drawing together research, personal experience and cultural reflection to consider how motherhood changes the body, mind and sense of self.

Curated by Helena Hamilton, creator of Becoming, in partnership with NI Science Festival, the panel will bring Lucy into conversation with Dr Sally McFadden, a Specialist Clinical Psychologist in the Perinatal Community Mental Health Team at the Northern Health and Social Care Trust; Professor Victoria Simms, a developmental psychologist with a specific interest in the development of mathematical thinking in children and Chair of the NI Science Festival; and Helena Hamilton, drawing on her artistic research into matrescence through Becoming.

The conversation will be chaired by Professor Aoife McGrath, a dance scholar and choreographer who leads the Dance and Maternal project at QUB connecting dance, motherhood, and science. Taking Lucy’s book as its starting point, the discussion will explore the complex and often-overlooked realities of becoming a mother.

The panel forms part of the wider public programme around Becoming, Hamilton’s immersive, multi-sensory artwork created in collaboration with Janie Doherty and Aisling McGeown, running as part of BIAF from 22–25 October. Rooted in the artists’ own lived experiences and informed by qualitative research with mothers across generations, Becoming explores matrescence through spatial sound, haptics, moving image and first-person spoken material.