Abstract
The “Unraveling Motherhood” project is a pilot study that began as a personal visual diary documenting the transition into motherhood while living abroad. It explores the diverse experiences of postcolonial Southeast and East Asian migrant mothers, whose voices are often overlooked. The project collaborates with these mothers through a co-design process to create an engaging online storytelling platform that combines their narratives and photographs with animations. The research utilises practice-based and participatory methods inspired by the feminist ethnography approach. The approach practises ethical transparency and reflexivity and empowers migrant mothers to frame their narratives. It examines cultural creolization, highlighting how migrant mothers blend Eastern and Western cultural practices to navigate societal expectations. The project uses polyphonic storytelling and scrolly-telling techniques—including hypertext, poetic elements, and parallax narratives—to present a non-linear, multi-layered portrayal of migrant motherhood. The research aims to challenge traditional notions of motherhood by engaging with the cultural, racial, and economic contexts of migrant mothers. The co-design approach empowers participants, giving them agency in shaping their narratives, resulting in a platform that authentically reflects their lived experiences. The project also contributes to UX/UI design and digital storytelling by showcasing innovative interactive features that address historical and social issues. Overall, “Unraveling Motherhood” challenges dominant narratives, promotes shared authorship, and enhances understanding of the complexities of migrant motherhood in a globalised world.
Presenters
Tammie LeongSenior Lecturer, Design Department, Media Design School, Auckland, New Zealand
Details
Presentation Type
Theme
KEYWORDS
MOTHERHOOD, DIASPORA, SYNCRETISM, POLYVOCAL NARRATIVES, ETHNOGRAPHY, REFLEXIVITY, CO-DESIGN, SCROLLY-TELLING, PARALLAX
