Do You See Me?

Countway Library is thrilled to announce our newest Art@Countway exhibition, in partnership with the Department of Global Health and Social Medicine!

Exhibition Description

Exhibition Dates: September 1, 2026 - January 8, 2027

Location: First floor of Countway Library

Do You See Me? presents a visual journey through seven stages of women's postpartum trauma and recovery. This exhibition captures experiences from shock to renewal, illuminating maternal struggles that often remain unseen.

Artist’s Statement

Do You See Me? emerged from my decades as a physician-scientist, where I witnessed countless difficulties after childbirths. I noticed a troubling pattern: if the baby did well, all agreed it was a successful delivery; if not, it was deemed a failure. During pregnancy and labor, the mother was reduced to a vessel that carried the child. But these vessels break, and sometimes not even the mothers notice it.

For almost 30 years, I've listened to my patients' emotional distress. For some women, birth is experienced as a traumatic event, with a minority developing post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD). In new mothers with PTSD, the underlying pelvic floor muscle injury often goes unnoticed. Their physical symptoms aren't validated by a diagnosis of muscle injury, and their psychological agony continues. The mothers may be told it's all in their heads or that the symptoms will pass. These patients feel alone, their voices unheard.

I decided to advocate for mothers with postpartum pelvic floor trauma and PTSD by painting their emotions. In my work, I first took the typical statements and sentiments that my patients expressed and matched them with seven stages of grief: Shock, Denial, Anger, Depression and Detachment, Dialogue and Bargaining, Acceptance, and Return to a Meaningful Life. For these stories, I often choose large format canvases or boards to draw viewers into the mother's postpartum world. 

The mothers universally identify with the subject matter as these stories come from shared everyday experiences. My mothers are often depicted alone, inviting viewers to join them in their silent journey through various healing stages. Chronicling mothers' postpartum depression and PTSD journey is not a responsibility I've taken lightly. Each painting is carefully conceived to fulfill its role in advocating for these overlooked women.

Artist Bio

Professor S. Abbas Shobeiri (Iranian-American, born 1964) is a professional painter who focuses on post-traumatic stress disorder after childbirth. Dr. Shobeiri is an international authority, researcher, educator, and surgeon concentrating on postpartum mothers' health. He is a medical device innovator, and a professor of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Medical Education, and Biomedical Engineering. 

Dr. Shobeiri was an artist before becoming a healer. He emphasizes the connection between mind and heart, soul and body. His paintings promote emotional literacy and break social taboos surrounding childbirth, depression, and PTSD-C. Harnessing first-hand experience working with mothers for decades, he brings an empathetic lens to the maternal experience. His practice moves between research, operating rooms, and the easel, engaging in dialogues with new mothers, then sharing their stories visually while addressing broader mental health issues. 

Do You See Me? is the first-ever exhibition focusing on postpartum PTSD after childbirth, which opened in Washington DC to rave reviews from the Washington Post and ABC News. 

Events

Keep an eye on our events calendar for the opening reception, artist tours, and other collaborative events throughout the exhibition's timeline.