A FORMER academic from Stratford has turned his studies on fatherhood into art.
Dr Robert Williams’ career in children’s healthcare inspired his academic investigation into how fathers contributed to child and family health.
The dad-of-two has created a series of mosaics, prints and collages to represent what he considers ‘being a dad’.
He said: “I wanted to do some creative work about modern fatherhood. Motherhood, often in a romanticised way, has been a focus of artists for hundreds of years. However, many contemporary women artists are now doing justice to the reality that, in the past and today, most care for children continues to be done by women. This is absolutely important.
“Fathers, in contrast, have often been represented in fine art as property owners, patrons, as powerful men or as patriarchs. However, my own research and the wider evidence in the UK, shows that many fathers now see themselves as being increasingly involved in the day to day care of children.
“Being a masculine man for many modern fathers, is about closeness, love and care. These changes are significant and are explored in this new art project.”
The artist’s work can be viewed at 19 Hathaway Green Lane, Stratford on Father’s Day (June 16) from 4pm to 8pm.