Mika Sperling, born in 1990 in Norilsk, Russia, reflects in her series Mother Tongue on her relationship with her Vietnamese mother-in-law. With the intention of a better understanding, she illuminates various aspects, such as the role of her own little daughter and the influence of origin and culture on interpersonal relationships. Language takes on a key role, as it is a constant barrier between her and her mother-in-law. The artist’s own mother tongue, Russian, is part of her identity, but she must learn it again after a long period of time in order to pass on this part of herself to her daughter, who is expected to possibly act as a link between Mika Sperling and her mother-in-law in the future. In addition to photographs, the artist realizes her project by means of video and sound recordings.
Recommended Fellowship: Mother Tongue
Recommended Stipendium: Muttersprache
Hamburg, Germany 2020