A new art installation at the London hospital where Kate Middleton welcomed her children is offering a groundbreaking depiction of postpartum motherhood. On October 8, 2025, parenting brand Frida unveiled Mother Vérité, a statue designed to honor the physical and emotional transformation of mothers. The statue, created by renowned British artist Rayvenn Shaleigha D’Clark, is described as the first monument to truly celebrate mothers by portraying the often invisible struggles that come with motherhood, such as stretch marks, scars, and swelling.
Frida’s founder, Chelsea Hirschhorn, explained that the aim of Mother Vérité was to raise awareness about the unspoken realities of motherhood and spark an open dialogue around the topic. She emphasized that while technology has its benefits, it plays a troubling role in contributing to an “epidemic of disconnection,” particularly as mothers are distracted by their phones instead of being able to fully engage with their children and families.
The statue’s hyper-realistic details include everything from cracked nipples to a bulging postpartum uterus, capturing the raw and often unseen aspects of the female body. The installation was strategically placed outside the Lindo Wing of St. Mary’s Hospital in London, where royal babies are traditionally introduced to the public. This location is symbolic, as it contrasts the image of polished, picture-perfect post-birth moments often seen with royal families.
Meghan Markle, who gave birth to her children at the Lindo Wing, and Kate Middleton have both spoken candidly about their experiences in the public eye after giving birth, and Kate, in particular, has admitted the overwhelming challenge of adjusting to motherhood while being under constant public scrutiny. The installation of Mother Vérité serves as a tribute to the uncelebrated work of mothers everywhere, aiming to raise awareness about the impact of motherhood on women’s lives, especially in a world where maternal experiences are often hidden or overlooked.
Following its debut at the Lindo Wing, Mother Vérité will travel to Portman Square for Frieze and then to Miami for Art Basel before returning to London for a permanent display. This piece not only aims to spotlight the physical changes mothers go through but also seeks to change the cultural narrative, as Hirschhorn noted, since only 4% of statues in London depict women. Ultimately, Mother Vérité serves as a bold step in recognizing and celebrating the importance of mothers, ensuring that their experiences are both acknowledged and honored.
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