Mary Rouncefield

maryrouncefield@yahoo.co.uk

The Child Bride and Her Destiny emphasize the physical danger faced by very young girls forced into motherhood and marriage.

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BIOGRAPHY

This is a 3D sculptural piece in stitch ink and acrylic paint applied to a canvas covered body shaped framework. The size reflects the age and small physical frame of young girls forced /sold into child-marriage. The reverse side of the piece shows that she may soon become pregnant.

This piece was made to emphasize the physical danger faced by very young girls forced into motherhood and marriage (often at puberty). When they become pregnant they face a painful, difficult labour and possible death as they give birth. As a child gives birth to another child, opportunities for education and life-chances are much diminished. I have used brambles as a symbol of entrapment and pain, while the daisy is a symbol of innocence.

While this scenario is unlikely to occur in the UK, marriage at age 14 is legal in some states of the USA (or even age 12 in ‘exceptional circumstances’).  Girls as young as 9 can be married in Iran, while the 10 is the minimum age in Sudan and Saudi Arabia. In Europe, Romania and Slovenia permit marriage at age 15. Marriage at puberty or younger, is common in many African countries and even in South Africa the minimum age is 15.

maryrouncefield@yahoo.co.uk

Title: The Child Bride and Her Destiny

Size: 60cm high x 33cm wide x 10 cm deep.