French exchange

In August 2011, Mothersuckers Project took 'Breastcups' to the Dordogne region of France, with the assistance of the Wales Arts International Opportunities Fund and Article 19 association, where we staged the piece in two very different environments; namely a contemporary gallery: Metre Cube gallery and a café within a public square: Cafe des Halles, Bourdeilles.

It was interesting to find that French audiences were more adventurous than the British and would accept the offer to try tea with breastmilk, oui! We were made aware yet again through audiences enthusiastic and interested responses to the work, of a debate that is universally relevant, despite cultural differences, and to male as well as female artists and audiences alike. 

We also staged the installation for the camera in varoius settings: by a river, in some prehistoric caves, in a meadow; with some beautiful results. During one of these private performances, the boob blancmange was ceremonially carried into the river Dronne and thrown in, settling on the river bottom, where it may still be feeding the bewildered fishes and river life.

We achieved extensive press coverage and had meetings with the Regional Arts Council of the Dordogne, who promised their support for us co- organising a joint exhibition at a venue in the region. The enthusiastic response by the Director of the Perigordian Museum, Veronique Merlin-Anglade, has led to a collaborative curatorial project, bringing artists from the UK including ourselves to present work alongside French artists in response to maternal or paternal themes, in an exhibition scheduled for 2013.


photos: Josh Leeson