Mothers' trauma explored in new Jaywick art exhibit

A new exhibition exploring the impact of trauma has launched as part of ground-breaking research highlighting the damaging effects of adoption without maternal consent.

The exhibition features a range of artwork, photographs, poetry and pictures, which shed light on the experiences of those living with trauma.

Alongside the experiences of mothers, the exhibition, which is based at Jaywick’s Martello Tower and organised by Healthwatch Essex, explores other areas of trauma such as those suffered by victims of sexual and domestic abuse, injuries, and long-term health conditions.

The University of Essex’s Dr Samantha Davey, of Essex Law School, has been working with mothers to help them explore their own experiences of seeing their child placed for adoption to understand the traumatic impact the process has on them.

Those taking part in the research have expressed their thoughts and feelings on their experience through words and art, which feature in the exhibition in Jaywick.

Dr Davey, who is working on the project with Dr Stella Bolaki at the University of Kent, hopes the exhibition will give mothers a voice after years of suffering.

She said: “Often these mothers have had circumstances which are challenging.

“They lacked the financial means to raise a child, suffered domestic abuse, mental health issues or other trauma which made it difficult for them to support their children.

“They suffer further trauma from the loss of the children and the stigma that they have been subjected to in wider society, due to fixed perceptions of motherhood.”

Dr Davey added: “This Exhibition shows the suffering that can occur when mothers are permanently separated from their children against their wishes, and how making mothers visible after being invisible for so long, can help to show members of the public how important it is to support all mothers.”

Dr Davey and Dr Bolaki have worked with Diana Defries, lead for Movement for an Adoption Apology, and experienced mental health professionals Chloe Sparrow and Amanda Swan throughout the research project.

A painting by Chloe, who is an art therapist, features in the exhibition. Further exhibits exploring trauma are planned across Essex and Suffolk throughout 2025.

The exhibition at Martello Tower runs across each weekend in January and is open 10am until 4pm each day.