Maternal Source is the title of my sculptural installation inspired by how a mother’s body influences her baby. Microbiomes are the bacteria communities that our bodies need for a healthy immune system. The mother’s body has 5 sources that influence her infant’s gut microbiome the most: the mother’s skin, breasts, mouth, gut, and vaginal tract (during delivery). Though I had to birth my baby through a c-section, I am grateful for the other ways that my body has supported her and allowed her to thrive. This print is a record of my installation at the San Diego Art Institute, during the exhibition Illumination, which paired scientists with artists. The mystery and power of the maternal body are what I try to capture. Sometimes we need to remind ourselves of where we came from, the beauty and strength that we were gifted when we drew that first breath.