New Art Installation Explores Motherhood And Political Confinement In Redwood City

REDWOOD CITY, CA — A new art installation in Redwood City explores the impact of political imprisonment through the lens of motherhood and early childhood and will be on display until Feb. 22.

The Redwood City Improvement Association, in partnership with Fung Collaboratives, is set to present its latest public art exhibition at the Art Kiosk: “Lullaby” (Lalaee/ ییلالا) by multidisciplinary artist Nasim Moghadam. The immersive installation will be on view at the Art Kiosk, located at 2208 Broadway St., from Jan. 10 through Feb. 22.

Moghadam's powerful work delves into the profound impact of political imprisonment, viewed through the intimate and challenging lens of motherhood and early childhood. “Lullaby” draws inspiration from the histories of women detained for their political beliefs, offering a reflection on the children born into confinement and the unique forms of resilience that emerge within spaces defined by restriction. The piece asks viewers to consider how care, resistance and survival coexist within systems designed to silence.

The installation features a large-scale wooden cradle, whose design subtly incorporates elements associated with confinement. What initially appears as a symbol of safety and nurture soon reveals a deeply unsettling duality, blurring the boundary between shelter and control. This intentional ambiguity critiques how institutional power frequently regulates and restricts women’s bodies and their roles as mothers.

The cradle is set in gentle, slow motion, a rhythm that amplifies the emotional weight of the work. This movement, however, is designed to evoke unease rather than comfort. It is accompanied by a compilation of folkloric lullabies. The melodies carry universal themes of love, endurance and loss. Through the combination of sound and movement, the traditional lullaby is transformed into a poignant act of remembrance and quiet resistance.

By placing this deeply personal experience in a public setting, “Lullaby” challenges viewers to confront how political systems shape lives from their very earliest moments. Moghadam’s work simultaneously honors the strength of imprisoned mothers and acknowledges the children whose first experiences of the world occur under surveillance and constraint.

This exhibition is the latest effort by the RCIA to enrich Redwood City’s public art landscape and foster community dialogue through thought-provoking installations.