motherline objects - a photography & haiku project

Motherline Objects is a photographic project centred on the meaningful objects of Motherline participants — an intergenerational women’s group who explored the theme of motherline through creativity during 2025. Conceived by Alice Robinson and supported by Arts Council funding, the project honours the personal items that carry memory, care and inheritance across generations.

Each object is photographed in the hands of its owner by Rebecca Lattin, emphasising touch, presence and the living relationship between women and the things they keep close. The stories attached to these objects have been distilled into haiku by Lucy Edmiston, transforming lived experience into poetic fragments. Together, image and text create an intimate archive of motherhood, ancestry and connection, where ordinary objects become vessels for extraordinary histories.

Hands holding vintage black and white portrait photographs against a dark blue background with yellow floral pattern.
A minimalist text poem titled 'Trish's photo' with words arranged sparsely on white background.
Hands holding vintage black and white portrait photographs against a dark blue background with yellow floral pattern.
Short poem about rings titled 'Alice's rings' by Lucy Edmiston describes jewelry worn over a lifetime.
Hands holding vintage black and white portrait photographs against a dark blue background with yellow floral pattern.
A short poem titled 'Ruby-Ann's Key' by Lucy Edmiston about a locked lid and quiet keys, printed in black text on white.
Hands holding vintage black and white portrait photographs against a dark blue background with yellow floral pattern.
Simple text layout displays poem titled 'Danielle's Yarmulkes' with embroidered circles theme on white background.
Hands holding vintage black and white portrait photographs against a dark blue background with yellow floral pattern.
A minimalist text poem about Alice's rings describes a pair of worn gold wedding bands symbolizing lifelong fidelity.
Hands holding vintage black and white portrait photographs against a dark blue background with yellow floral pattern.
Three lines of text from a poem or literary work displayed against a white background.
Hands holding vintage black and white portrait photographs against a dark blue background with yellow floral pattern.
A short poem titled 'Nat's book' by Lucy Edmiston about an unfinished page and reading precious sentences.
Hands holding vintage black and white portrait photographs against a dark blue background with yellow floral pattern.
A short haiku poem titled 'Lucy's glass' about a wine glass glinting by firelight is displayed on a white background.
Hands holding vintage black and white portrait photographs against a dark blue background with yellow floral pattern.
A short haiku poem about Russian dolls and warmth is displayed in black text on a white background.
Hands holding vintage black and white portrait photographs against a dark blue background with yellow floral pattern.
A minimalist black text design on white background displays a letter opener product name and congratulatory message.
Hands holding vintage black and white portrait photographs against a dark blue background with yellow floral pattern.
A teacup displays text in Chinese characters with English translations about unity and strength below.
Hands holding vintage black and white portrait photographs against a dark blue background with yellow floral pattern.
Three lines of poetry text arranged vertically on a white background with black text.
Hands holding vintage black and white portrait photographs against a dark blue background with yellow floral pattern.
Three lines of poetry text arranged vertically on a white background with black text.