Modern Ireland in 100 Artworks: Celebration: The Beginning of Labour

Observing a lack of positive birth images in our culture, the artist Pauline Cummins approached the National maternity Hospital, proposing she design a mural in the courtyard in Holles Street. When ‘Celebration: the Beginning of Labour’ was unveiled in 1984, many called for its removal due to its ‘exuberant endorsement of the female body’.

Although Cummins began her career as a painter, venturing into performance and video work, for which she is best known. Her work examines identity, gender and socio-cultural relations connected to different communities in society.