'TOUCHED BY ADOPTION
Journeys Towards Wholeness'
An official presentation of the adoption apology from the Royal Brisbane Hospital to all adoptees, soon to be made into a plaque for the Hospital. Presented to adoptees, Therese Hawkin, Kerri Saint & Victoria Fitzpatrick (WASH reps) by Professor Ian Jones.
'FANTASY MOTHER'- Acrylic /collage
Original available for sale
Excerpt from interview with
'Land of Gazillion Adoptees'
Website/blog based in the U.S. Go to this link for further info...
http://landofgazillionadoptees.com/2012/10/31/5953/
OCTOBER 31, 2012
HEALING, PAINTING, & WRITING:
MY INTERVIEW WITH AUSTRALIAN ADOPTEE, VICTORIA FITZPATRICK
What is your primary work, focus, or interest when it comes to the topic of adoption?
As an artist I am interested in the stories of identity, uniqueness, relationship and the value in our common stories. I believe that we all have a deep need to be connected to others by finding common stories and experiences that unite us and help us understand our differences.
I also feel we all have a deep need to be connected to our Maker Who loves each one of us as if we were the only ones in existence. His love brings completeness and wholeness into my life.
His Call on my life draws me forward.
Are you working for change in adoption? What are the positives and/or negatives that you see?
There is an exciting ripple occurring in Australian Government right now, bringing State Apologies one after another throughout the country. The only one left now is Queensland. Tasmania is receiving theirs currently.
This is a major step forward in acknowledgement of the damaging past practices of adoption that would see single mothers’ babies torn from their bodies never to be seen again and seeing families lines & lives shattered as a result.
I am hopeful that some healing will begin to occur from this affirmation of the suffering so many have been through, both mothers and adoptees.
What your favorite adoption-related project that you’ve worked on, if any?
Alongside 2 other Adoptees calling ourselves WASH (White Australian Stolen Heritage) and with the support of a group of relinquishing mums (ALAS), we approached the Brisbane Women’s Hospital with each of our stories and were eventually rewarded with the first official apology from a State Hospital that was directly involved in separating mothers from their newborns for the benefit of the adoption system that was in place through the 50′s & 60′s.
Do you have any favorite books, authors, speakers, or any other adoption-related person that you really admire? Tell us about that.
I was inspired by the writer Betty Lifton and her insight into the unborn child…which opened up a whole world I had never considered. My fellow WASH members who had each suffered awful indignities both by the system and their families, through being adopted and also being forced to lose a child. I have been inspired by their drive to see change happen and their sense of humour in the midst of ongoing pain.
Also a fellow Adoption Alliance member, Christine Cole has done a considerable job in researching the archives of those who were forced to give up their babies, completing a doctorate on the subject and petitioning for change.
What do you have to say about adoption?
For me, I did suffer from being adopted both in being sexually approached by my father and by my deep seated abandonment, however i know this also happens in step families. I see the mess of our Foster System and the lack of stablity for these children and wonder whether a form of adoption could be a positive way for these kids to feel they are wanted and that they belong somewhere, instead of being passed around to so many families.
I am not supporting adoption in its past form. Perhaps a form of ‘Kinship Care’ could go further than the old model of adoption.
I am also skeptical of overseas adoptions and am aware of the dangers of it becoming another ‘industry’ where children are commodities in the midst of poor communities at the mercy of the rich. However, I am an advocate for supporting orphans within their communities as much as possible and do support ongoing work by someone I know in Cambodia. This is much more cost effective and doesn’t involve tearing the child away from their roots so a rich western couple can feel complete somehow.
Thank you to Victoria for doing this interview! Check out her book and artwork at her website.
Thanks Amanda, I was put in contact with Victoria earlier this year in relation to a digital art display and I instantly fell in love with her work. Each piece seemed to reach out and connect to me in a way that words just cannot and I hope her work also gives people with an adoption experience, some insight into our world. I particularly appreciate Victoria’s painting Fantasy Mother. It is wonderful to hear about the person behind the art. I hope that some of the talented Australian adoptee artists like Victoria get the recognition they deserve.
Charlotte
JOIN US ON FACEBOOK
http://landofgazillionadoptees.com/2012/10/31/5953/
OCTOBER 31, 2012
HEALING, PAINTING, & WRITING:
MY INTERVIEW WITH AUSTRALIAN ADOPTEE, VICTORIA FITZPATRICK
What is your primary work, focus, or interest when it comes to the topic of adoption?
As an artist I am interested in the stories of identity, uniqueness, relationship and the value in our common stories. I believe that we all have a deep need to be connected to others by finding common stories and experiences that unite us and help us understand our differences.
I also feel we all have a deep need to be connected to our Maker Who loves each one of us as if we were the only ones in existence. His love brings completeness and wholeness into my life.
His Call on my life draws me forward.
Are you working for change in adoption? What are the positives and/or negatives that you see?
There is an exciting ripple occurring in Australian Government right now, bringing State Apologies one after another throughout the country. The only one left now is Queensland. Tasmania is receiving theirs currently.
This is a major step forward in acknowledgement of the damaging past practices of adoption that would see single mothers’ babies torn from their bodies never to be seen again and seeing families lines & lives shattered as a result.
I am hopeful that some healing will begin to occur from this affirmation of the suffering so many have been through, both mothers and adoptees.
What your favorite adoption-related project that you’ve worked on, if any?
Alongside 2 other Adoptees calling ourselves WASH (White Australian Stolen Heritage) and with the support of a group of relinquishing mums (ALAS), we approached the Brisbane Women’s Hospital with each of our stories and were eventually rewarded with the first official apology from a State Hospital that was directly involved in separating mothers from their newborns for the benefit of the adoption system that was in place through the 50′s & 60′s.
Do you have any favorite books, authors, speakers, or any other adoption-related person that you really admire? Tell us about that.
I was inspired by the writer Betty Lifton and her insight into the unborn child…which opened up a whole world I had never considered. My fellow WASH members who had each suffered awful indignities both by the system and their families, through being adopted and also being forced to lose a child. I have been inspired by their drive to see change happen and their sense of humour in the midst of ongoing pain.
Also a fellow Adoption Alliance member, Christine Cole has done a considerable job in researching the archives of those who were forced to give up their babies, completing a doctorate on the subject and petitioning for change.
What do you have to say about adoption?
For me, I did suffer from being adopted both in being sexually approached by my father and by my deep seated abandonment, however i know this also happens in step families. I see the mess of our Foster System and the lack of stablity for these children and wonder whether a form of adoption could be a positive way for these kids to feel they are wanted and that they belong somewhere, instead of being passed around to so many families.
I am not supporting adoption in its past form. Perhaps a form of ‘Kinship Care’ could go further than the old model of adoption.
I am also skeptical of overseas adoptions and am aware of the dangers of it becoming another ‘industry’ where children are commodities in the midst of poor communities at the mercy of the rich. However, I am an advocate for supporting orphans within their communities as much as possible and do support ongoing work by someone I know in Cambodia. This is much more cost effective and doesn’t involve tearing the child away from their roots so a rich western couple can feel complete somehow.
Thank you to Victoria for doing this interview! Check out her book and artwork at her website.
Thanks Amanda, I was put in contact with Victoria earlier this year in relation to a digital art display and I instantly fell in love with her work. Each piece seemed to reach out and connect to me in a way that words just cannot and I hope her work also gives people with an adoption experience, some insight into our world. I particularly appreciate Victoria’s painting Fantasy Mother. It is wonderful to hear about the person behind the art. I hope that some of the talented Australian adoptee artists like Victoria get the recognition they deserve.
Charlotte
JOIN US ON FACEBOOK
'Broken Chains' - My personal story in mixed media
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'Quiet Desperation'- Framed Acrylic on canvas
Original available for sale.
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A recent review......
"I am excited as I bought your book yesterday! I have only managed a wee read so far but I am really enjoying it. I especially love 'Quiet desperation", it is AMAZING. I love it so much. your work really speaks, I got the jist of the feeling and meaning of the emotional issues from a glance. Like "Circle of Secrets", I can feel the disappoinment and betrayal of the secrecy of being adopted, and the "Unknown Mother' captures so much hope and a feeling of misplaced hope.
They are poignant works and hope you are very proud of your achievement of creating them, and publishing a book that shares your work and people's stories. its a huge achievement, well done" Jane W.
They are poignant works and hope you are very proud of your achievement of creating them, and publishing a book that shares your work and people's stories. its a huge achievement, well done" Jane W.
Purchase a book now directly...'Touched by Adoption. Illustrated & written by Victoria
A collection of personal Adoption Stories told by Australians from all walks of life, from the perspective of both Relinquishing Mothers and Adoptees. Alongside each story is one of my paintings that correlates with the specific story.
A great gift for a friend who has struggled with any adoption issues or for someone wanting to gain a deeper empathy for those caught in these circumstances. Quality silk look pages with full colour images. Amazing value at the above price.
$25.00
$15.00
I have just read Victoria’s book for the second time. The first was quite a while ago when it first came out.
It is very well written, and presented and deserves a lot more attention.
A book for all those people in our community who are adopted, some many years ago. This is an excellent insight into what they are going through, and what they have been through.
The author has interviewed many people in her research. Some famous, others just a regular mum or dad who are always wondering in the back of their minds who they are and where they really came from and questioning the circumstances of their birth. Most have had wonderful adoptive parents, but there is still that need to know and for them to go back in time can be a healing and forgiving event.
I am not adopted, but have always been very interested in where my ancestors came from. As a child I asked lots of questions and was only told they were all born in Finland and came to Australia in 1900 & 1914, not much else, contact seemed to have been lost.
Over the years it has been my quest to find out all I could about them and connect with our relatives in a far off land. To go and visit them, to feel that blood connection one can’t explain.
I can understand how adopted children and adults must feel. There is a need to know, and much more intense when it is your mother and father.
This book opens up one’s heart and helps people to feel and understand that they are not alone.
It is sad in places & happy in others. A must read for all.
I highly recommend it.
Anne Margoc
www.fishpond.co.nz
www.reunitecards.com
It is very well written, and presented and deserves a lot more attention.
A book for all those people in our community who are adopted, some many years ago. This is an excellent insight into what they are going through, and what they have been through.
The author has interviewed many people in her research. Some famous, others just a regular mum or dad who are always wondering in the back of their minds who they are and where they really came from and questioning the circumstances of their birth. Most have had wonderful adoptive parents, but there is still that need to know and for them to go back in time can be a healing and forgiving event.
I am not adopted, but have always been very interested in where my ancestors came from. As a child I asked lots of questions and was only told they were all born in Finland and came to Australia in 1900 & 1914, not much else, contact seemed to have been lost.
Over the years it has been my quest to find out all I could about them and connect with our relatives in a far off land. To go and visit them, to feel that blood connection one can’t explain.
I can understand how adopted children and adults must feel. There is a need to know, and much more intense when it is your mother and father.
This book opens up one’s heart and helps people to feel and understand that they are not alone.
It is sad in places & happy in others. A must read for all.
I highly recommend it.
Anne Margoc
www.fishpond.co.nz
www.reunitecards.com