The Milky Way Breastfeeding Awareness Project

About the Project

This multimedia art project reimagines Johan Niclas Byström’s neoclassical sculpture of Hera nursing Hercules, using living bodies in place of marble to honor the enduring strength and sacredness of the breastfeeding bond. In this living tableau, a mother and her 3-year-old son embody the mythic scene with reverence and authenticity, framed by a celestial backdrop and sculptural aesthetics. The goal is to reframe extended breastfeeding as not only natural but heroic, and to challenge modern stigmas by presenting it as timeless, powerful, and worthy of awe.

The project emerges from a place of love, endurance, and the lived reality of nurturing beyond infancy — an act often misunderstood or dismissed in contemporary society. By embodying a myth in which divine strength is transferred through breastmilk, the work positions extended breastfeeding as a source of both power and tenderness. It invites viewers to reconsider their assumptions, to witness beauty in vulnerability, and to connect modern motherhood with the archetypes of the past.

We intend to share the final images and video across social media platforms, including Instagram, TikTok, and Facebook, alongside educational and advocacy hashtags. We’ll also collaborate with breastfeeding support groups, artists, and parenting influencers to amplify the message. Through bold visuals and storytelling, we hope to normalize breastfeeding beyond babyhood, spark important conversations, and inspire other mothers to feel seen, strong, and celebrated.

What We Need

For this project, we are seeking a small, passionate team to help bring our vision to life. We need a makeup artist ideally with experience in body painting and clean, sculptural looks, and a hair stylist who can help craft the simple, elegant Greek-inspired updo like the sculpture. We’re also looking for a creative art director to help style the set and guide visual elements, and a production assistant (PA) to assist with on-set tasks, wardrobe, and child support. Additionally, we need a photographer to capture stills of the final image and behind-the-scenes moments. Brandon Boggs, will serve as the videographer, shooting and editing the final video piece. Anyone with a passion for classical art, motherhood, or advocacy is encouraged to help us share this meaningful and memorable project with the world.

To apply, please send your info to me@AustinFilmMeet.com. Thank you!