Topics 
This art print is a part of the ‘Topics’ collection. These prints exude the history, storytelling and art of adornment from the South Asian culture. Through the rich colours and jewels, these prints add a statement to every room. Pair with a plain frame and accompanying candles or pampas grass to elevate the print.
 
Print finish 
All art prints are printed on high quality ‘smooth cotton high white paper’ which leaves a smooth and texture-free matte finish. The high white shade assures saturated colours lift when printed.
 
Want to know a little more about the paper quality? 
Weight: 315gsm
Material: 100% Cotton
Coating: Matte
Surface Texture: Smooth
Available in A4 and A3
 
To read more about what inspired this collection or this particular illustration, visit @gaby.gohlar on Instagram.
 
Infertility

Infertility isn’t uncommon. It can affect men and women. In fact an estimated 15% of couples will have trouble conceiving. (UCLA Health, 2020) Globally, 48.5 million couples experience infertility. (Reproductive Biological Endocrinology, 2015) and about 9% of men and 10% of women aged 15 to 44 reported infertility problems in the United States. (CDC, 2013 and Office on Women’s Health, 2019)

The stigma
Writer, Seetal Savla recently took to the internet to discuss infertility in the South Asian community. She believes that in a patriarchal society its more likely for women to be blamed for infertility because “even if the diagnosis … is male infertility the woman is held responsible for her 'failure' to have a baby.” Therefore, women find it difficult to discuss infertility because of the judgement they may face.

Infertility and ‘womanhood’
“Marriage and parenthood confer status and recognition for men as well as women. When a woman becomes a wife, she is accorded a higher status than a single woman, but when she becomes a mother her status then has prestige and security. This might, however, be the case only when she produces sons. Widge (2005) argues that Indian women’s identity comes from motherhood, and suggests that childless women are at risk of cruelty, rejection and divorce. Pressure can come, if not from the husband, from the family or wider community.” (Fiona R Cross-Sudworth, 2006)

Isolation
Studies have shown that counselling can help infertile couples. However, only 16% (Culley et al’s, 2004) of infertile South Asian couples had used a counselling service and 20% relied solely on their partner for emotional support, with no one else knowing. Thus causing couples to feel isolated and fearful.
Whilst these conversations are now readily had in South Asian communities, we still have a long way to go for infertile couples to feel safe and valued.

Therefore, lets consider how our words can impact someone (even if your intentions are in the right place), to be open to tough conversations, to stop pressuring couples to have children, to provide support and educate ourselves and others on infertility.