wool felt, embroidery threads, household sponges

These medals came about through looking at pronatalist movements in fascist/ totalitarian regimes from the beginning of the 20th century alongside iron plaques made by the American artist David Smith between 1937 and 1940 titled Medals for Dishonour made as an attack on Fascism. The idea of awarding medals for producing children seems perverse. In particular that they tended to be awarded for two very particular reasons; giving birth and managing to keep a number, generally 5 and upwards, alive or, losing your child while they were in a role of service to their country..
They are each based on a pronatalist medal but with a motto from a serving military regiment attached creating an award which is pertinent to a particular situation for women today.

based on; Order of the Mother Heroine - Soviet Union -raising 10 or more children (replaced by the Order of Parental Glory in 2008)
Motto; Germany- Kampfschwimmer/ Verwendungsgruppe 3402 - Subaqua Special Combat Force - Lerne zu Leiden ohne zu Klagen - Learn to suffer without Complaint.

based on; Medal of Motherhood,Albania - bronze awarded for 5 children when youngest is 1year old (awarded 1950’s onwards , replaced in 1970’s by Order of Motherhood Glory).
Motto; Norway - Oppklaringseskadronen - Reconnaissance Squadron - Ser Alt, Alltid - Sees all, Always.

based on; Cross of Honour of the German Mother - Mutterehrenkreuz - Germany raised at least 4 or more children (Awarded between 1939 and 1945)
Motto; Italy - Guardia di Finanza (Financial Guard) Nec Recisa Recedit - Does not retreat even if broken)

based on; Medal of Honour of the Family -Medaille d’honneur de la famille francaise - France ( still awarded)- It is very interesting that it denotes French family) originally awarding only mothers (1920-) included fathers in reform (1983) Bronze for 5+children also for children dying in the service of the country
Motto; America, American Armed Forces 89th Airlift Wing - Experto Crede - Believe one with the experience.

based on; Order of the Mother - Republic of Belarus - Bronze is for 5 plus children also for children killed or missing as a result of efforts to protect the Homeland/ State - (still awarded)
Motto; Netherlands - Koninklijke Luchtmacht - Royal Netherlands Air Force, 334 Squadron - Semper et Ubique - Always and Everywhere.

Quote from The Unwomanly Face of War by Svetlana Alexievich - Penguin Modern Classics; from the chapter “They awarded us little medals...“ An oral history of Russian women who fought in WW2.

embroidery on handmade paper, pigment

based on the polar medal for endurance

Forward Through The Night

Auctioned for SCOOP Foundation to fund a field maternity hospital in Syria