Get Premium
Dark mode theme is available exclusively for premium users. Learn more about the benefits of subscribing.
No fees, cancel anytime.
Dark Mode 
No fees, cancel anytime 
then open in external browser
and click "Open in External Browser" 
User submission
19.1K
Mom’s Powerful Twin Photo Proves That Motherhood Doesn’t Stop You From Following Your Dreams
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)
RELATED:
“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.”
“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.”
155Kviews
Share on Facebook What do you think ?
Katarzyna Cz 9 years ago
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.
Daria B 9 years ago
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...
Saumya 9 years ago
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 9 years ago
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...
Arty 9 years ago
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...
Darryl Winter 9 years ago
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...
Heather Keedy Bateman 9 years ago
Kudos to her. Although, photos like these are also why women are expected to do EVERYTHING!!
elise maiberger 9 years ago
An Instagram post isn't a major art installation. If MA feels she couldn't do it, it's her choice. Why does anyone feel the need to debunk it -- oh yeah, to get you & your twins posted on Bored Panda.
Celestia 8 years ago
You sound jealous...sorry I;m 13 and i'm enjoying life as a virgin
Load More Replies...
Laura Ni Conmhidhe 9 years ago
Just because it's okay for her doesn't mean it's right for Marina Abramovic. She should be supporting her fellow woman's choices.
Heather Alisse 9 years ago
Why do we idolize people who don't get enough sleep and insist it's better to be career focused than want to just raise children? :(
Danijela Plavsic 9 years ago
Marina Abramovic did not say all female artist should have abortions if they want to remain creative, she only said that she felt it would have hindered her creativity, so I'm not sure why this person took it so personally. It just looks as if this, to me an unknown artist (I'm not saying she's not talented or popular, I just haven't heard about her before) tried to get some attention through Marina...and well, it worked.
David Smith 9 years ago
Wait whaaat? She says "...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.” But then criticize an artist for her not wanting to be a mother?
Orsi Nagy 9 years ago
First of all, that's a scary, tasteless and disgusting photo. She carelessly pushes her breasts into the faces of the poor babies, and they are just hanging there while she doesn't give a f**k about them :( seriously, is she proud of that? It's like she's pushing her breasts against 2 potatoes, I feel sorry for those babies. I remember when my mom used to breastfeed my sister, she was paying attention to whether she was full of breathing normally. Babies are fragile, they can suffocate. Second, she is a huge hypocrite. One artists told her own story and why that worked for her. And then here comes this "supermom" to criticize her. Marina wasn't attacking her, so she shouldn't start judging women who choose not to have babies. When it comes to our lives and bodies, we do whatever we want, so no judgement needed. All the sleep deprivation must have wrecked her brain, plus she must feel really insecure and frustrated.
Magali Charles 9 years ago
I love the first pic, what a badass mom, looool! Seriously, she was right to remind Abramovic that some can have children and be productive anyway. Each person has their own amount of energy and ability to cope with motherhood and work at the same time. Let's not be judgemental one way or the other.
Kimberly Law 5 years ago
Keep your legs together. That would be a start. Killing your babies and you boast about it on social media. You are announcing that you need physiological treatment. A true friend would have told you that a long time ago.
Kateryna Berydukhova 8 years ago
Why does this lady think that someone else would want to juggle work/being creative and children?
Ashley Paine 9 years ago
These pictures are amazing I particularly loved the nursing at the laptop one :) really made my day, it is just beautiful. Truly a depiction of modern mums doing their thang.
JoAnne Klein 9 years ago
Who cares about psychoanalytic evaluation: She's gorgeous, the babies adorable and the husband is a hunk. All the earmarks of a really happy family.... they are all terrific!
Elly Clifton 9 years ago
Kids are a source of inspiration! Well done, your twins are beautiful.
nicole buerosse 9 years ago
Yesss! Children are blessings..certainly add immeasurable joy, personal growth and happiness to your life!
Lucia Pereszlenyiova 9 years ago
just don't understand if she is so smart and great woman, how is possible she never heard about contraception? really 3 abortions? for me she is baby killer, stupid woman who knows how to f..ck but doesn't know how to not get pregnant...karma is for free b***h...
Anna Panda 9 years ago
Yeah cool and where is the father of her kids? As if having children is a one man job -.-
Saumya 9 years ago
Or maybe someday she will have a kid when she is ready.
Load More Replies...
Katarzyna Cz 9 years ago
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.
Daria B 9 years ago
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... Saumya 9 years ago
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 9 years ago
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... Arty 9 years ago
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...
Darryl Winter 9 years ago
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... Heather Keedy Bateman 9 years ago
Kudos to her. Although, photos like these are also why women are expected to do EVERYTHING!!
elise maiberger 9 years ago
An Instagram post isn't a major art installation. If MA feels she couldn't do it, it's her choice. Why does anyone feel the need to debunk it -- oh yeah, to get you & your twins posted on Bored Panda.
Celestia 8 years ago
You sound jealous...sorry I;m 13 and i'm enjoying life as a virgin
Load More Replies... Laura Ni Conmhidhe 9 years ago
Just because it's okay for her doesn't mean it's right for Marina Abramovic. She should be supporting her fellow woman's choices.
Heather Alisse 9 years ago
Why do we idolize people who don't get enough sleep and insist it's better to be career focused than want to just raise children? :(
Danijela Plavsic 9 years ago
Marina Abramovic did not say all female artist should have abortions if they want to remain creative, she only said that she felt it would have hindered her creativity, so I'm not sure why this person took it so personally. It just looks as if this, to me an unknown artist (I'm not saying she's not talented or popular, I just haven't heard about her before) tried to get some attention through Marina...and well, it worked.
David Smith 9 years ago
Wait whaaat? She says "...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.” But then criticize an artist for her not wanting to be a mother?
Orsi Nagy 9 years ago
First of all, that's a scary, tasteless and disgusting photo. She carelessly pushes her breasts into the faces of the poor babies, and they are just hanging there while she doesn't give a f**k about them :( seriously, is she proud of that? It's like she's pushing her breasts against 2 potatoes, I feel sorry for those babies. I remember when my mom used to breastfeed my sister, she was paying attention to whether she was full of breathing normally. Babies are fragile, they can suffocate. Second, she is a huge hypocrite. One artists told her own story and why that worked for her. And then here comes this "supermom" to criticize her. Marina wasn't attacking her, so she shouldn't start judging women who choose not to have babies. When it comes to our lives and bodies, we do whatever we want, so no judgement needed. All the sleep deprivation must have wrecked her brain, plus she must feel really insecure and frustrated.
Magali Charles 9 years ago
I love the first pic, what a badass mom, looool! Seriously, she was right to remind Abramovic that some can have children and be productive anyway. Each person has their own amount of energy and ability to cope with motherhood and work at the same time. Let's not be judgemental one way or the other.
Kimberly Law 5 years ago
Keep your legs together. That would be a start. Killing your babies and you boast about it on social media. You are announcing that you need physiological treatment. A true friend would have told you that a long time ago.
Kateryna Berydukhova 8 years ago
Why does this lady think that someone else would want to juggle work/being creative and children?
Ashley Paine 9 years ago
These pictures are amazing I particularly loved the nursing at the laptop one :) really made my day, it is just beautiful. Truly a depiction of modern mums doing their thang.
JoAnne Klein 9 years ago
Who cares about psychoanalytic evaluation: She's gorgeous, the babies adorable and the husband is a hunk. All the earmarks of a really happy family.... they are all terrific!
Elly Clifton 9 years ago
Kids are a source of inspiration! Well done, your twins are beautiful.
nicole buerosse 9 years ago
Yesss! Children are blessings..certainly add immeasurable joy, personal growth and happiness to your life!
Lucia Pereszlenyiova 9 years ago
just don't understand if she is so smart and great woman, how is possible she never heard about contraception? really 3 abortions? for me she is baby killer, stupid woman who knows how to f..ck but doesn't know how to not get pregnant...karma is for free b***h...
Anna Panda 9 years ago
Yeah cool and where is the father of her kids? As if having children is a one man job -.-
Saumya 9 years ago
Or maybe someday she will have a kid when she is ready.
Load More Replies... You May Like 58 Times Parents Turned Their Crazy Moments Into Funny Tweets This November 50 Honest Before-And-After Motherhood Photos From Moms Who Aren’t Sugarcoating It “Because I Was Born Male”: 36 Cases Where Parents Dislike Or Actually Hate Their Kids
Evelina Šiukšterytė
Simona Kinderytė
Dominyka Proškėnaitė
Related on Bored Panda
310
59