Speaking Body is a multi-language, community art and mutual aid project honoring immigrant mothers. Developed by interdisciplinary artist Tamar Ettun in collaboration with residents of the city’s shelter system, and curated by Rebecca Pristoop, Speaking Body amplifies the voices of one of our city’s most vulnerable populations. This continues the cultural work ArtBridge has offered immigrants and neighbors in Brooklyn’s District 34 since 2023.
The mothers joined Ettun in somatic workshops that incorporated breathing, movement, ceramic bead making, and fabric dyeing. Engaging in the creative process as a vehicle for conversation and connection, these women shared stories of their journeys, their faith and spirituality, and reflections on home and family.
In collaboration with and at the direction of the mothers, Ettun transformed the creative results of these workshops into mixed-media artworks. In a time when the lives and livelihoods of immigrants are under threat locally and nationally, the mothers share their own stories anonymously. Like the collage of words and images, Ettun’s artwork builds in tandem with the relationships that continue to grow from a multi-year mutual aid and support network around children and parents living in neighborhood shelters.
The artworks adorn six bus shelters, one billboard, and numerous LinkNYC kiosks across Brooklyn District 34. Placed in public spaces of commuting, commerce, and information gathering, the artworks draw eyes through their color and collage, encouraging a second look and a close read of the insistence on shared humanity by these immigrant mothers, who ask to be seen and heard.
Speaking Body, 2026
Mixed media placed on bus shelters, billboard, and LinkNYC
Dimensions variable
Coming soon
Tamar Ettun (she/they) creates sculpture, video and performances often using textiles that reflect on somatic experiences in relation to trauma healing rituals. Ettun is a 2025-2026 Smithsonian Artist Research Fellow at the Hirshhorn Museum and Sculpture Garden, where she is researching how contemporary female artists engage with themes of pregnancy, birth and motherhood through the intersections of bodily autonomy, reproductive health and protective practices. She received support from The Pollock Krasner Foundation, Interlude Artist Residency, Stoneleaf, Fountainhead, Moca Tucson, MacDowell, Franklin Furnace, Iaspis, Art Production Fund, Lower Manhattan Cultural Council, Triangle Arts Association, Abrons Art Center and RECESS. Ettun’s research-based and community engaged work was exhibited and performed at Museum of Art and Design, The Ford Foundation, The Walker Art Center, Pioneer Works, The Chinati Foundation, The Shelburne Museum, Marjorie Barrick Museum of Art, The Watermill Center, Art Omi Sculpture Garden, PERFORMA, Socrates Sculpture Park, The Jewish Museum, and Sculpture Center.
Ettun is the founder of The Moving Company, an artist collective that created performance art with sculpture in public spaces, and a social engagement project with Brooklyn teens hosted by The Brooklyn Museum. Her work is included in the new sculpture anthology “Great Women Sculptors,” published by Phaidon Press (2024). Ettun’s newest film, IVF Documents, was included in the exhibition Designing Motherhood at MAD Museum (2025-2026) and in “What’s in a Story?” video program curated by Barbara London presented by CYFEST 17, Collateral Event of the 61 La Biennale di Venezia. She holds an MFA in Sculpture from Yale University.
This project was developed by artist Tamar Ettun upon an invitation from ArtBridge. It was made possible by the Office of Councilmember Jennifer Gutiérrez. Bushwick Ceramics donated their space, clay, kiln and genuine support.
Billboard Design: Calipso Press
Photography and Design: Amelia Golden
Hand Writing: Yisel Garcia
Project Assistance and Translation: Stephanie Blandon and Ariella Pacheco
Translation: Yisel Garcia and Tatiana Arocha
English Tutors: Yisel Garcia, Jemila MacEwan, Jamie Chan
Writing and Editing: Maya Pindyck, Shaleigh Cochran, J. Mae Barizo, Cindy Arrieu-King, Leila Ortiz, and Allison Weisberg
Workshop Hosts: Bushwick Ceramics and Pioneer Works
Many people have helped bring this project to life. Sincere thank yous to everyone who volunteered and engaged in conversation, including David Everitt Howe and Bob Bellerue from Pioneer Works, Megan Davidson and Delmy Ledof from Family Distribution, and Adam and Zofi Lipton from Bushwick Ceramics.
