POLLY BRADEN – ARNOLFINI v2.qxp_Layout 2 24/02/2022 13:53 Page 1
Gemma, a university administrator, with Freya, 8, Jack, 6 and Elsie, 2. She met her partner at university. They lived together, graduated together, got jobs together. He left her with three children. “I was always in awe of single mothers. I couldn’t imagine having to do it all by myself. Now I’ve come to realise that actually I was doing it all myself anyway.”
Jana with Izaan 5, and Yanna, 2. Now a university student, Jana fled an arranged marriage. “Two years ago, if someone had told me I'd be living in London by myself, taking care of my children by myself, and had a place at one of the best universities in the world, I would have never believed it.”
Barbeline on her way to a meeting with a possible investor in her business
Charmaine with Kai, 13, and Esme, 11. Charmaine and Aaron (who is also part of the exhibition) met at drama school when they were 18. They separated eight years ago, and now share the care of their children, each having them half of the time
Carike, an SEN classroom assistant, with Seren, 4. Carike didn’t plan to have a child. “I was 40, I decided fine, it’s alright, I can do it. I don’t need him to be in our lives.”
All images by Polly Braden Courtesy of the artist
Barbeline, a print designer, and Elijah, 10. Barbeline grew up in care and had Elijah when she was 18. She was with his dad for two years. She set up a business producing designs for clothes, cushions and wallpaper in 2012
