Qatar’s Sidra Medical Centre says that it provides “world-class healthcare for women and children”, but in order to receive these services, patients will now have to walk past 14 babies and foetuses, ranging from 5 to 11 meters high. Yes, it is a monumental sculpture by a very famous artist — none other than Damien Hirst, known as much for creating controversy as much as he is for art. And yes, it’s the first public nude sculpture in Qatar. But does that mean that women have to like it?
Hirst says on his website that he hopes his Miraculous Journey (2003-20015) sculpture “will instil in the viewer a sense of awe and wonder at the extraordinary human process”, but we asked women of child-bearing age in North America and Europe whether or not this is what they would to see as they make their way to gynaecological healthcare experts? Unsurprisingly — as this is Hirst we’re talking about —the foetal monstrosity elicited some strong feelings, none of them including awe and wonder. Here’s what they had to say:
Why hire a male artist for a women’s centre?
“It’s great that Qatari women and children have access to this new children’s hospital. I’ve had personal experience with the Arab medical system and it desperately needs serious investments in infrastructure and overall modernisation. This Damien Hirst installation, however, seems like a massive waste of money with a fake head nod towards women’s health. He claims that it’s a statement on women’s education. What is it trying to say? It’s a male-centred vision of what women’s health looks like: a 11-meter womb. Women’s wellness and women’s autonomy is so much more than that — I am more than my womb, I am more than my reproductive system. If the Qatari hospital really wanted to honour and invest in women’s health, I would have loved to see a female artist featured. Or maybe use that money to invest in patients and creating community health centres.” – Savannah 26, San Diego.
What if you just had been told you couldn’t have children?
“Beyond the fact that it’s disturbing, women’s hospitals should not be about giving birth. It alienates the women who cannot bear children for whatever reason or it could be a constant reminder of a child lost in a late stage of pregnancy. How horrible would it be to look at that if you are battling infertility?” – Bernadette 26, Stockholm.
Does it need to be in front of a women’s hospital?
“I don’t hate the work, but it is not appropriate for a hospital – it’s all about context. I would like my healthcare spaces to be as neutral as possible. It would be naive to ignore its potential impact on anyone who might be making decisions around their reproductive health.” – Aggie 26, Berlin.
What if I don’t want kids, does that make me less of a woman?
“There are so many things women have to deal with when it comes to our health. I wouldn’t want to be reminded on the way into a hospital, for whatever reason, that at the end of the day I’m an incubator. On a very personal level, as someone who doesn’t especially want kids, it makes me feel kind of attacked.” – Clare 26, Oakland.
Why would you represent reproduction like that?
“I don’t mind the adulation of female reproductive organs – I think female reproduction is the closest thing to godliness and in some ways I like how a colossal uterus could be intimidating, but the art is kind of ugly and it depicts the process as cold and concrete.” – Maya 26, New York City.