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Mom’s Powerful Twin Photo Proves That Motherhood Doesn’t Stop You From Following Your Dreams
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Mom’s Powerful Twin Photo Proves That Motherhood Doesn’t Stop You From Following Your Dreams

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In a recent interview with German newspaper Tagesspiegel, artist Marina Abramovic suggested that having children would have ruined her creativity. “I had three abortions because I was certain that it would be a disaster for my work,” she said. “One only has limited energy in the body, and I would have had to divide it.”

But Hein Koh, a Brooklyn-based artist, has recently responded to Abramovic’s comments by posting a picture of herself working on her Instagram and Facebook pages while simultaneously breastfeeding her twins. “When my twins were 5 weeks old and despite the sleep deprivation and frequent (every 2-3 hours, 24-7, 45 min at a time) breastfeeding, I was still getting shit done,” wrote Hein. “Marina Abramovic thinks children hold women back in the art world, but as @dubz19 put so aptly, “FUKKK THAT”.” Read on for the full message.

More info: Facebook | Hein Koh (h/t: babble)

“Somehow as a man you are allowed to have kids and still be perceived as driven in your career,” said Hein. “While if you are a woman who has a child, people think of it as a huge sacrifice,” she observes. “The new family models are changing — mothers don’t necessarily have to be the primary caretakers anymore. With a more even distribution of responsibilities, and a support system — support is key, and I recognize it is a privilege — women can still have children and be successful in their careers.”

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“I’ve pieced together a schedule that allows me to spend time with the kids for at least a few hours every day, but also have at least a few hours to myself to work in my studio or do other things that I need to do,” she notes. “Childcare is a privilege, and unfortunately many moms and artists don’t have that. That being said, I understand how fortunate I am and I don’t waste time.”

“We all have to do what we think is best for ourselves and our families,” she continues. “I’m just trying to live my life, and I know I have limitations but I’m doing the best I can. People should just leave moms alone, and mind their own business. Especially other moms, who are always the first to judge. Regardless of our individual choices, women should support other women, and lead by example rather than attack. That’s the kind of culture I want to promote.”

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katarzyna_czarcinska avatar
Katarzyna Cz
Community Member
7 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

Most people wouldn't be very creative after weeks of sleep deprivation. And read a couple of article doubting whether humans can really be multi-tasking and effective at the same time. Just saying. Having abortion is normal, having children is normal as well. But I really hate people telling 'If I can do it, you can do it as well, if X was good for me it's gona be good for you'. People actually do differ.

dariab_1 avatar
Daria B
Community Member
7 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

I agree, but she can still be an inspiration and an example to those who want to both have kids and a career. Also, kids or no kids, busy artists get sleep deprived too, and it's hard the first few weeks, yeah, but then, somehow, people find additional strenght and learn to move on. Abortion is indeed as normal as having kids, but three abortions? I won't criticise her for her life choices, afterall, contraception isn't flawless, but makes you having doubts... Anyway I wish the best of succsess to both artists.

Load More Replies...
joshi-saumya1993 avatar
Saumya
Community Member
7 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

This article is great and kudos on ur job, kid and everything. Clearly you have found the perfect balance. But the artist Marina Abramovic is entitled to her own views and live her life without being judged by 'supermoms'. Its a sad reality that our society still looks down on women who have abortions, its her body and her right. If she is not ready for a baby and everything it entails that doesn't make her a bad person.

thereader19 avatar
TheReader19
Community Member
7 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

Marina Abramovic can have no kids, that is her right. Every women has a right to choose to have no kids and a career, or twenty kids and a career or no career. However; in this day and age it is NOT necessary for any women to have three abortions. It has nothing to do with anybody being a super mom. An abortion IS a termination of a life like it or not. Women in the Western world have an unlimited supply of contraception and choice. If she is really against children why doesn't she just get steralised and she will never have to worry about getting pregnant again. It has nothing to do with being religious or a super mum however; it does have something to do with being responsible and having a moral barometer, and a totally unnecessary surgical risk three times over. Even abortions carry a risk in the procedure.

Load More Replies...
atlantike avatar
Arty
Community Member
7 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

Why would anyone have to prove anything? Of course you can have kids and work, of course you can work and not have kids, of course you can have no kids and no work...no sorry...that's not good. Anyway Koh is doing great, good for her, Abramovic doesn't want kid now, good for her too. Just one personal comment: abortion isn't a contraception method. I understand people that's doesn't want children, I understand people that abort whatever the reason. But there is better ways of preventing to have children...

dvw1993 avatar
Darryl Winter
Community Member
7 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

You'd have to be pretty naiive to think that abortion equates as birth control.... These things do happen. Birth control fails on a regular basis! Condoms fail regularly, and the other options are hormonal or really intrusive procedures! People are careful, but our options are often limited, and its all a game of chance. I say bring male contraceptives to the market! And maybe abortions would not be happneing quite as frequently as they sem to be...

Load More Replies...
Load More Comments
katarzyna_czarcinska avatar
Katarzyna Cz
Community Member
7 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

Most people wouldn't be very creative after weeks of sleep deprivation. And read a couple of article doubting whether humans can really be multi-tasking and effective at the same time. Just saying. Having abortion is normal, having children is normal as well. But I really hate people telling 'If I can do it, you can do it as well, if X was good for me it's gona be good for you'. People actually do differ.

dariab_1 avatar
Daria B
Community Member
7 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

I agree, but she can still be an inspiration and an example to those who want to both have kids and a career. Also, kids or no kids, busy artists get sleep deprived too, and it's hard the first few weeks, yeah, but then, somehow, people find additional strenght and learn to move on. Abortion is indeed as normal as having kids, but three abortions? I won't criticise her for her life choices, afterall, contraception isn't flawless, but makes you having doubts... Anyway I wish the best of succsess to both artists.

Load More Replies...
joshi-saumya1993 avatar
Saumya
Community Member
7 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

This article is great and kudos on ur job, kid and everything. Clearly you have found the perfect balance. But the artist Marina Abramovic is entitled to her own views and live her life without being judged by 'supermoms'. Its a sad reality that our society still looks down on women who have abortions, its her body and her right. If she is not ready for a baby and everything it entails that doesn't make her a bad person.

thereader19 avatar
TheReader19
Community Member
7 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

Marina Abramovic can have no kids, that is her right. Every women has a right to choose to have no kids and a career, or twenty kids and a career or no career. However; in this day and age it is NOT necessary for any women to have three abortions. It has nothing to do with anybody being a super mom. An abortion IS a termination of a life like it or not. Women in the Western world have an unlimited supply of contraception and choice. If she is really against children why doesn't she just get steralised and she will never have to worry about getting pregnant again. It has nothing to do with being religious or a super mum however; it does have something to do with being responsible and having a moral barometer, and a totally unnecessary surgical risk three times over. Even abortions carry a risk in the procedure.

Load More Replies...
atlantike avatar
Arty
Community Member
7 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

Why would anyone have to prove anything? Of course you can have kids and work, of course you can work and not have kids, of course you can have no kids and no work...no sorry...that's not good. Anyway Koh is doing great, good for her, Abramovic doesn't want kid now, good for her too. Just one personal comment: abortion isn't a contraception method. I understand people that's doesn't want children, I understand people that abort whatever the reason. But there is better ways of preventing to have children...

dvw1993 avatar
Darryl Winter
Community Member
7 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

You'd have to be pretty naiive to think that abortion equates as birth control.... These things do happen. Birth control fails on a regular basis! Condoms fail regularly, and the other options are hormonal or really intrusive procedures! People are careful, but our options are often limited, and its all a game of chance. I say bring male contraceptives to the market! And maybe abortions would not be happneing quite as frequently as they sem to be...

Load More Replies...
Load More Comments
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