Big mother, like its name might suggest, is one big, beautiful and mesmerising piece of art. Standing tall in the centre of a black room, a baboon breast feeds a human baby.
A month since she came to the Art Gallery of South Australia, this piece is still drawing a constant flow of spectators; drawn to her distant, sad gaze; her male-like arms; her hand-like feet, the human hair; the grotesque and magnified depiction of baboon genitalia; and finally, the impossible - a human suckling a primate.
Or is it really impossible? Artist Patricia Piccinini has based the piece on a true story. A female baboon who abducted a human baby following the death of her own young, while still nursing (the baby was later found safe and unharmed).
This piece plays on our repulsions, curiosities and our inability to recognise ourselves as animal. Big mother represents a genetically modified baboon, upright and nurturing, so humanlike yet so primitive. Piccinini points out that upon viewing Big mother, you do not fear for the young in her arms, but more for her, and why she holds such a worried gaze.
If you're keen to see some accessible, interesting and thought-provoking art, go pay Big mother a visit. She's intriguing, terrifying, and beautiful. You won't be able to tear your eyes away.
