Artworks by Fiona Dachana
Fiona Dachana
My project Muvhili a si Tsimbi delves into the profound mental and physical shifts of motherhood, with a focus on postnatal experiences. Using my own body as an intimate lens, I explore the lasting impacts of pregnancy and the often-invisible nature of postnatal depression — a condition that frequently leads to neglected mental health and, in turn, physical consequences. My creative process is deeply personal, rooted primarily in self-portrait photography. These portraits become the foundation for both physical and digital collages. Recently, I’ve begun incorporating beads into my material explorations, adding tactile and symbolic layers to the work. While the central theme remains the multifaceted experience of motherhood, my stylistic approach intentionally fluctuates — reflecting the shifts in my own moods and mental states. This variability allows me to express the diverse, often contradictory, phases of motherhood, many of which manifest daily.