For Be Still,
My Heart, Italian photographer Marta Giaccone traces the lives of young
mothers living in South Wales, cutting through the prejudgement that often
surrounds teenage pregnancy to reveal the threads of courage and love that bind
each girl to her infant child. What
ultimately reawakened the photographer’s creative spirit was the simple sight
of young women walking their children in springtime. As she watched, she was
gripped by the weight of the girls’ situation, noting that young mothers are far
more common in Britain than they are in Italy. Where most teenagers were
contending only with the ups and downs of adolescence, these youngsters had
been plunged into an early adulthood.
Despite the
demands of motherhood, Giaccone recognized an undeniable warmth and strength of
character in the girls who passed by with baby strollers. In her eyes, they
emerged as far more than a statistic, and she longed to fill in the gaps, to
learn their stories. At first, contact with the mothers was difficult, and she
was frequently rejected by young women she approached in malls and on the
streets. Over time, her honesty earned her the trust of a few dozen girls, who
welcomed her into the homes they had built for and with their children. Gradually,
the young women opened up about their histories. Some pregnancies had been
planned, while others had not; some mothers had support from their parents and
partners, and other relationships had become strained. No matter the situation,
whether they were parenting full time or juggling work and school, each mother
had provided her child with love and care.
In the photographs it has a sweetness, yet a sadness to them
as well. You can see the loving nurturing
of the young mothers, but also the pain and sadness in their eyes from all of
the things they went through.
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