“The Teddy Bear Cabinet: Please Mind the Gap” is a new series of artworks which is being showcased on the Tyne and Wear Metro. Aimed to provide thoughtful tips and information for new parents the artwork will be on Metro trains during Infant Mental Health Awareness Week (12th to 18th June).
The artwork takes the form of Metro carriage cards (inside the trains above the windows) and they are positioned facing the buggy area so they are an easy view for parents and carers on the trains. They also have a QR code which can be scanned to direct to online resources.
The project has been developed by Dr Christina Kolaiti, Senior Lecturer in Photography at York St John University in collaboration with The Parent-Infant Foundation, The Association of Child Psychotherapists, Cosleepy, Raised Good, Nurture Neuroscience and The Institute of Child Psychology.
Dr Kolaiti said: “he Teddy Bear Cabinet started in 2021 with a series of 12 photographic portraits of Teddy bears made from keepsakes such as baby grows, baby blankets, pregnancy blankets given by 12 different mothers. Please Mind the Gap now responds to the Parent-Infant Foundation’s pledge to raise awareness of a ‘baby blind spot’ in the UK’s mental health provision by highlighting the positive impact of nurturing during the early years of the infant’s life. This begins with ‘Bonding. Before Birth’ which is the title of IMHAW’s theme this year. “The work represents narratives of new motherhood and early attachment, through photography. It aims to be informative and thought provoking, a reminder to consider the importance of babies’ social and emotional development and maternal wellbeing.”