The mother and child, set against a vast and unpredictable natural world, symbolise the constant struggle for existence, identity, and meaning. The embroidery speaks to the vulnerability of life, where external powers shape the maternal bond.
Nature’s duality is evident here; the orange tree and water lilies symbolise nurture, while the fire, black water, and turbulent sky represent destruction. This contrast mirrors the complexities of motherhood, a force of creation that can be disrupted by uncontrollable forces. The tension between beauty and destruction evokes dark Romanticism, where the natural world is both captivating and dangerous.
Boga’s work also explores themes of diaspora, borders, and displacement. The figures of the mother and child carry the emotional weight of migration, representing both personal and political struggles shaped by separation and survival. In Mother and Child 1, Boga captures a broader human experience where intimate relationships are tested by forces beyond control, persisting in their search for meaning amidst a turbulent world.