MLEKO

"Mleko" is a visual research project born from my fascination with human milk and its intricate nature. Following the birth of my first child in 2021, I was captivated by this biological substance uniquely tailored to nourish my son.

"Mleko" (2021-2024) is a visual research project born from my fascination with human milk and its intricate nature. Following the birth of my first child in 2021, I was captivated by this biological substance uniquely tailored to nourish my son. This curiosity propelled me to delve deeper into the multifaceted dimensions of human milk and the experience of breastfeeding.
In “Mothers; An Essay on Love and Cruelty”, Jacqueline Rose writes that; “The supreme symbol of mother love is, of course, the breast, which reappears in modern discussions of motherhood”, which makes the subject of breastfeeding central and opinionated. Milk is breaching a gap between milk giver and child, between an animal and human, between self and other, between myth and world.

My project is structured into three parts:

My Milk: This segment offers an intimate exploration of my journey with breastfeeding, capturing the physical and emotional nuances of this experience.

Their Milk: Here, I broaden the perspective by documenting the experiences of other breastfeeding women, highlighting the collective narratives and shared challenges.

Our Milk: This final part examines the societal and cultural contexts surrounding human milk, incorporating insights from lactation experts, milk banks, and milk donors.

Through a blend of photography, text, video, and audio interviews, "Mleko" aims to demystify human milk, encouraging open dialogue and reducing the stigma associated with breastfeeding in both public and private spheres.