Family dynamics on display

Real Families: Stories of Change is an exhibition curated by psychologist Susan Golombok, former director of the Centre for Family Research. Inspired by an installation from artist Cathy Wilkes, this exhibition includes artworks from 64 artists exploring themes of societal pressures and gender roles, as well as larger family dynamics, which guide us to focus on how family experiences transition in their social and psychological world.

The exhibition starts with an article published in Spare Rib magazine in 1976, which presents a series of legal cases of lesbian mothers who lost custody of their children upon divorce, seemingly no longer capable of being appropriate caregivers. The article continues with a call for research on the psychological impact of family structures on child development. This is a compelling way to set the stage for an exhibition that challenges conceptions of the 'traditional family' as a unique form of family structure.

In line with the research that followed, a series of artworks show affectionate families with non-heterosexual caregivers, stories of motherhood through methods of assisted reproduction, stories of mothers experiencing feelings of frustration and loss, and stories exploring stigma related to not having children at all. In a similar light, a series of stories interrogate expectations about gender norms in parenthood, including powerful artworks by artist JJ Levine telling stories of trans and non-binary parents, as well as artist Harry Borden portraying images of families with single fathers. Throughout this theme, families are depicted in quotidian moments which support 50 years of literature highlighting the importance of warmth and affection in family relationships, rather than particularities of family structures. We also pick up on certain elements that evidence the discomfort of stigma that many non-traditional families experience.

Another theme which emerges throughout the exhibition is the role that larger family dynamics play on attachment. Among the stories illustrating attachment experiences with different family members, artists depict secure attachments between caregivers and their children at different periods of life, illustrate complex bonds between siblings, and explore transitions of attachment with caregivers at an older age, including a beautiful piece by artist Celia Paul of her mother. These artworks include many positive but also other more challenging components which we commonly navigate in our relationships. Coming from a large Mediterranean family, I resonated particularly with an artwork by artist Joy Labinjo portraying the loving relationship between a grandmother and her grandchild. This set of stories support contemporary research which explores attachment beyond important dyadic relations and gives space to a more active and adaptive understanding of this developmental process.

Attachment is also explored through other forms of family dynamics, including stories of familial conflict, stories of socioeconomic deprivation, and stories of traumatic experiences. The artworks in this theme invite us to reflect on the transmission of psychological and social trauma across generations and are probably the most thought-provoking elements of the exhibition. Other stories portray the impact of cultural norms and generational boundaries on relationships (e.g., language barriers), which are an important reminder that family experiences occur within a cultural and societal context. This is a message which is carried throughout all the stories presented in Real Families: Stories of Change. The exhibition ends with a spotlight on artists Chantal Joffe, including 10 paintings capturing the intricacies of transitioning through different stages of life.