Tears of our Mothers Lie in the Ocean

Tears of Our Mothers Lie in the Ocean is a multimedia triptych exploring the transformation of Black maternal identity across time, memory, and diaspora. Through photography, video, and sculptural materials, Suzan Adélakun moves between the power of the Yorùbá Ìyálódè, the spiritual protection of Yemoja during the Middle Passage, and the imposed “Mammy” archetype shaped by slavery and colonialism. The work reflects on resistance, sacred motherhood, and the enduring strength of Black women across generations.