A leading maternity hospital consultant is gearing up for his biggest art exhibition – during which he aims to confront society’s “judgement” of how Irish mothers feed their babies.
Afif El-Khuffash (44) has swapped his stethoscope for a paintbrush ahead of the exhibition. The neonatologist and lactation consultant at the Rotunda Hospital is using his art to challenge what he claims is the sexualisation and “huge stigma” around breastfeeding.
“Women are always judged, no matter what choice they make. We should never judge mothers but simply provide the support and safe environment for them to raise and feed their babies,” he said.
“The fact is that 80pc of new mothers want to breastfeed, but by the first week after their babies are born, only 40-50pc are doing so and there are many reasons for that.”
The Kuwaiti-born consultant, who was part of a Canadian hospital team which saved the life of a baby girl born at just 380g, went public with his artworks two years ago – and plans to devote himself full-time to art once he retires.
He will join over 160 exhibitors at Art Source at the RDS, running from November 11-13.
The father-of-two’s new works celebrate the ‘unshakeable bond’ between mothers and babies.
But he also wants them to challenge a “societal sexualisation” surrounding breasts.
“It is so pervasive in our culture and I hope that women breast-feeding infants in public will finally be unilaterally accepted as normal.
“Through my work and my art, I am determined to work towards improving the breastfeeding environment and challenge the current taboo thinking.
“Women can get criticised for breastfeeding, and they can get criticised for not breastfeeding. It’s a lose-lose situation and there is still a huge stigma around the issue.
“My paintings are intimate and raw, and encompass the wide range of emotion, experiences, struggles and elation that come with the breastfeeding journey.”
Dr El-Khuffash says he has no plans to quit medicine – but will pursue the art world full-time once he retires.
Over 15,000 people are expected to attend Art Source, which will feature the best in contemporary Irish and international artists and galleries.
This article was first published here. You can read the original article in full here.