Anthony Schrag
A Perfect Father Day
‘It doesn't matter who my father was; it matters who I remember he was.’
Anne Sexton
‘Fathers are biological necessities, but social accidents.’
Margaret Mead
The stereotypical family image - mother, father and two children in a detached or semi-detached house - is fast becoming a myth. This year's census is expected to confirm that a greater proportion of the UK's households now comprise single parents, adult children living with their parents, or pensioners more than 10 years ago, when the last census was conducted.
The project explored the shifting dynamic of the 'family unit' as more and more parents - often fathers - live and/or work away or may be absent all together, particularly in the North East of Scotland where many fathers work offshore or overseas and how this changes our relationships with our children.
Antony ran several events including, A Perfect Father Day?a day’s long exploration of Dadness including games, prizes, a Dad-Zone (dads left at own risk), Designated Dads, and every Dad’s favourite: barbeques and beers. A discussion, What Use is a Father? unpicking the purpose of patriarchy, proceeded the day. Special guests included all kind of Dads including Matt O’Connor, founder of Fathers 4 Justice.
David Harding was the Shadow Curator for this project.
See The Guardian on the census and changing Britain
To view Antony’s own website click here.
To view some images from the project please click here.