Have you ever looked at a painting and felt something so raw and real that it opened up parts of you you'd thought were sealed off? That’s exactly what happened when I read about Jenny Saville’s solo exhibition, The Anatomy of Painting, currently showing at the National Portrait Gallery in London. Her work unapologetically celebrates the human form — in all its vulnerability, strength, and nuanced imperfection — and it struck a deep chord with me as someone walking the winding path of fertility.
Jenny Saville is known for her monumental canvases that unapologetically expose flesh and bone, curves and scars, the unfiltered reality of bodies that many shy away from. Reading about her exhibition on Hypebeast (you can check it out here: Beauty Bleeds Through Jenny Saville's 'Anatomy of Painting') reminded me of how similar this raw honesty is to what many experience in the fertility world — the anticipation, the heartache, the physical transformations, and deeply personal battles.
Why does this matter? Because fertility isn’t just about biology; it’s an emotional odyssey that tests resilience and self-love. Saville’s work, with its brutal beauty, invites us to embrace the real — all our highs and lows — without shame.
The Unseen Beauty in Fertility’s Complexity
When you’re trying to conceive, especially through at-home insemination methods, it’s easy to feel alone or even broken. You see countless glossy images of perfect pregnancies and radiant mums, but rarely the gritty, complex reality — the endless cycle of hope, testing, disappointment, self-doubt, and yet, fierce determination.
Saville’s paintings bleed through the canvas, much like those honest moments bleed through the quiet spaces of a fertility journey. Her portrayal of flesh, sometimes marked by surgery or scars, is a powerful metaphor for the bodies many carry through fertility treatments — marked by injections, ultrasounds, sometimes surgeries, and the emotional toll they take.
Finding Strength in Vulnerability
What’s inspiring about Jenny Saville’s art is how it normalizes what so many of us hide — our vulnerabilities, our imperfections, our battle scars. And when we talk about fertility, vulnerability is everywhere:
- The awkwardness of discussing at-home insemination with family or friends
- The emotional rollercoaster of tracking ovulation and timing insemination
- The quiet moments of doubt and hope intermingled
Insecurities and sensitivities — like those addressed by MakeAMom’s BabyMaker kit designed for users with conditions such as vaginismus — remind us that fertility is deeply personal and often complicated. Saville’s fearless depiction of the human body encourages us to own our stories, no matter how messy or challenging.
How Art and Fertility Intersect
You might wonder, what can art really teach us about fertility? More than we think. Art like Saville’s provides space for reflection and emotional release. It helps dismantle the stigma around the fertility journey — especially for those trying at home, often without the traditional clinical support.
For those exploring at-home options, companies like MakeAMom play a crucial role. Their insemination kits are designed thoughtfully to meet different needs, from cryopreserved sperm to those requiring gentle, reusable options. This practical support mirrors the kind of empowerment Saville’s art offers on an emotional level: embracing complexity and enabling people to take control of their journey in a way that feels right for them.
What Can You Take Away From This?
Here’s the truth: Fertility isn’t just about biology or ticking boxes on a checklist. It’s about embracing your whole self — body, mind, and emotions — in all its beautiful imperfection. Jenny Saville’s work reminds us that there is profound strength in showing up exactly as we are, scars and all.
If you’re navigating the highs and lows of at-home insemination or fertility struggles, consider this your permission slip to feel it all deeply. Vulnerability isn’t weakness; it’s a bridge to resilience.
Practical Tips for Embracing Your Journey
- Create a ritual of self-compassion. Whether it’s journaling, meditation, or simply taking a quiet moment each day, honor the emotional work you’re doing.
- Seek out supportive communities. Sharing your story can lighten the load and create unexpected bonds.
- Educate yourself on at-home options. Knowing the tools you have, like MakeAMom’s range of insemination kits, helps you feel empowered and informed.
- Allow art and creativity in your healing. Visit exhibitions, listen to music, or create your own art as emotional outlets.
Final Thought
Jenny Saville’s The Anatomy of Painting exhibition is more than an art show — it’s a celebration of raw humanity, a reminder that beauty exists even in struggle. As you continue or begin your fertility journey, remember that your story is just as valid and luminous as the largest canvas.
Have you found unexpected sources of strength during your fertility journey? Maybe art has been one of those for you? I’d love to hear your thoughts and stories in the comments below. Let’s keep this conversation going — because no one should feel alone in such a profound experience.