Why Jenny Saville’s Bold Art Might Just Change How You See Your Own Body and Fertility Journey

Have you ever looked in the mirror and felt both empowered and vulnerable at the same time?

If you’re on a fertility journey, especially one filled with unique sensitivities or challenges, this feeling might be all too familiar. It’s why I was so drawn to the recent exhibition at London’s National Portrait Gallery, The Anatomy of Painting by Jenny Saville. If you haven’t heard of it yet, Saville is renowned for her raw, unapologetic depictions of the human body — and this exhibit, running through September 7, is the largest UK solo showing of her work to date.

You might wonder: what do massive, visceral paintings have to do with fertility? A lot more than you’d think.

Saville’s art shatters the polished, often sterile images of the body we’re used to seeing. Instead, she embraces the bruises, folds, scars, and imperfections that make us human. Her paintings are unapologetically honest — and for anyone navigating fertility challenges, this can feel like a much-needed breath of fresh air. It reminds us that beauty and strength come in all forms, especially when our bodies have endured so much.

It’s tough to admit, but many fertility experiences come with physical and emotional scars — from hormonal treatments to insemination attempts, not to mention the rollercoaster of hope and heartbreak that often follows. Sometimes, your body doesn’t respond the way you expect, or you face unique sensitivities that make traditional medical routes complicated or overwhelming.

That’s why having gentle, tailored options like those from MakeAMom’s home insemination kits can be so transformative. Their kits are designed with sensitivity in mind, catering to different fertility needs — whether it’s low motility sperm, sensitivities like vaginismus, or the stress of navigating conception outside a clinical setting. Knowing that a product respects your body’s unique story makes the journey feel less daunting.

But beyond the practical, Saville’s work pushes us to heal emotionally too. When you stand before her monumental canvases, you’re invited to confront your own feelings about your body — to grieve, to celebrate, and ultimately, to reclaim your narrative of strength and resilience. It’s an artistic embrace for anyone who’s ever felt ‘less than’ because their path to motherhood isn’t straightforward.

Here are a few reflections from Saville’s exhibition that resonated deeply with me and might with you too:

• Imperfection is Powerful: Real beauty is not about flawless skin or perfect cycles. It’s about the stories your body tells.
• Visibility Matters: Fertility struggles often feel invisible, but showing up — in art or in life — can be an act of courage.
• Healing Takes Time: Just like a painting takes layers of paint to develop depth, healing from fertility challenges is a process, and that’s okay.

So, if you’re in the middle of your fertility journey and feeling overwhelmed, maybe it’s time to look beyond just medical options. Explore art, community, and resources that honor your experience fully. It might be an exhibition like Jenny Saville’s or simply finding a product that truly understands your sensitivities.

If you want to learn more about sensitive, effective at-home insemination options that respect your body’s needs, check out MakeAMom's Impregnator Kit — it’s helped many folks realize their dreams of parenthood in a kind and cost-effective way.

At the end of the day, your fertility journey is deeply personal, full of challenges and triumphs. And just like Saville’s bold canvases, your story deserves to be seen, honored, and celebrated in all its beautiful complexity.

What’s your take? Have you found unexpected sources of strength through art or unique fertility solutions? Drop a comment below — let’s support each other through this.

For more on Jenny Saville’s exhibition, check out this inspiring Hypebeast article.