Molly Gochman

A once-contested space in Memphis's Medical District Park has found a new purpose. Where monuments to historical figures once stood, a new kind of monument now rises—a testament to the unsung labour of caregiving. “Monuments to Motherhood” is a series of sculptures by artist Molly Gochman that honour the caregivers whose work, often invisible, shapes and sustains our communities.

Molly Gochman's artistic practice has always sought to explore the themes of care, labour, and human connection. With “Monuments to Motherhood,” she aimed to create sculptures and spaces that invite interaction. Each one is an open, fluid space, drawing people in with gentle curves and inviting touch.

The largest rises to 6' 3" high and spans 9' 8" wide, while the two others, though smaller, equally command attention, measuring 5' 6" high and 3' 11" high, respectively. Together, they weigh nearly 1,400 pounds, their bronze surfaces carefully crafted to evolve with time, transforming as people interact with them.

The artist first sculpted the sculptures at 1:7 scale before being digitally modelled, cast in bronze, and carefully finished with a patina designed to age and shift over time. The process involved everything from design development and digital sculpting to lost wax and sand casting and fabrication. During the fabrication process, Molly's studio team frequently visited the workshop, sharing homemade cookies and treats with the team—small gestures that reflected the very themes her work explores. Molly made it a point to meet every person involved, from the artisans crafting the patterns to the installation crew ensuring everything was carefully placed in its new home. For her, it was essential to acknowledge and appreciate the hands that worked alongside hers, embodying the spirit of care and collaboration that defines the sculptures themselves.

Three sculptures from the series now stand in their new home in Medical District Park. “Monuments to Motherhood” are more than just public art; they are living, breathing spaces that continue the conversation. Their surfaces, already starting to age with touch, will continue to transform over time, bearing the marks of those who gather around them. As the sculptures invite people to rest, reflect, and engage, they carry with them the weight of their physicality and the weight of the labour they celebrate.