“We follow the confused pigeon as she is in the process of building her nest. Collecting sticks and branches, she ponders prospective parenthood. Is she building a nest because she wants to, or just because that is what pigeons are supposed to do? Her doubts and confusions quickly drag her into an absurd parallel world in which she’s haunted by an evil crow and confronted with her peers’ expectations.”

Unborn is especially poignant in this current climate where politicians worldwide have redoubled their efforts to control women’s bodies and futures and abortion rights are once again at the forefront of feminist activism. Verkade’s installation reminds us of the importance of bodily autonomy as a human right, while openly considering complex feelings of doubt, guilt, shame, and vulnerability in a way we rarely see in popular culture.

Unborn, 2021-2022
single channel video installation, 05:00 min. looped
HD monitor, soundsystem, carpet, painted walls, surround sound or stereo
‘Nest’ sculpture, 220x220 cm consisting of cardboard, styrofoam, MDF
Available with English subtitles (standard), as well as German and Dutch subtitles.

Unborn was co-commissioned by Wroclaw Contemporary Museum in Poland, Mondriaan Fund
in Amsterdam, Birth Rites Collection and the London Science Gallery in London.
Edition of 2 including installation, edition of 3 video excluding installation
Acquired by Birth Rights Collection and a private collection in London