"As I embarked on this journey of motherhood, I found myself increasingly disillusioned with the portrayal of motherhood in mainstream media, particularly on social platforms. The glossy, curated images seemed off from my own visceral experience, which was characterized by a rawness and intensity that I craved to explore further."
Artist: Isa Rus
Kiko : What is the role of motherhood in your work and how does your own experience of motherhood relate to it?
Isa Rus : I often say that I became an artist the day I became a mother. Pregnancy became a period of immense creativity for me, a time when I felt compelled to document the profound changes happening both within my own body and in the world around me. I have learnt that life and death are deeply connected in this sense, when a life is created or ends around you, the perception of the world changes: the birds sing louder, the air feels heavier in your lungs, small things will make you feel awe, insects, flowers, light. You become more present. This heightened awareness of the present moment became deeply ingrained in me, shaping my perspective and sparking an obsession with creating images.
For me, creating these images served as a therapeutic outlet—a way to navigate my newfound role as a mother and to familiarize myself with the raw, unfiltered aspects of motherhood: the spilled milk, the shedding hair, the softness of the body, and witnessing the transformation of my partner into a father.
K : Your images are filled with humanity, life and love. What are your main sources of inspiration? And what motivates you to photograph?
IR : As I embarked on this journey of motherhood, I found myself increasingly disillusioned with the portrayal of motherhood in mainstream media, particularly on social platforms. The glossy, curated images seemed off from my own visceral experience, which was characterized by a rawness and intensity that I craved to explore further. Isolated during the COVID pandemic, with even my family unable to share in the experience of my pregnancy, my curiosity about other mothers and their journeys only deepened. This curiosity led me to embark on a new path as a motherhood and family photographer. As I continued to explore the multifaceted landscape of motherhood, my curiosity expanded to encompass all its dimensions. What does motherhood look like over time? How does it manifest in the context of caregiving, burnout, and the enduring societal perception of it as a primarily "women's matter"?
I began to document my own mother's journey as she navigated the complex terrain of becoming the one caring for her own mother, a role reversal prompted by the loss of my grandmother's first born daughter. This exploration revealed to me the profound weight of the "motherload" and the enduring significance of maternal care.
K : A part of your work is portraiture, mainly of women. Is this a choice? Does it relate to womanhood/ motherhood?
IR : Documenting women, primarily mothers, has become a cornerstone of my work. Motherhood has a way of awakening aspects of women that they never knew existed, creating a desire on many to document this stage. Inviting a photographer into their space to witness and capture these intimate and vulnerable moments is also an act of surrender—a journey toward self-compassion and self-understanding. It is not easy, but seeing oneself through another's lens is deeply powerful and healing.
The first time a woman called me in tears of happiness upon receiving her images, I realized the profound impact of my work. It was a cathartic moment, repeated again and again, as I witnessed women finding solace, compassion, and gratitude in the images I had created with them. This realization has become the driving force behind my work—a commitment to providing women with a valuable tool for self-reflection, healing, and empowerment.
K : How does your sense of identity and being a migrant affect your work?
IR : Being a migrant is a significant source of inspiration rather than a limitation in my work. It shapes my perspective while exploring themes of belonging, identity, and the interconnectedness of human experiences. Building a home away from home informs the way I document motherhood and family dynamics, and I do believe it helps me offer a nuanced and intimate portrayal that reflects the diverse realities of contemporary life.
© Isa Rus
Editor and Interview : Kiko