The Ministry of Awe in Philadelphia has announced that its 'Pig Lady' mixed-media sculpture will 'give birth' to three piglets on 23 June.
'The Pig Lady', a sculpture created by South Philadelphia artist Madison Polidoro, has been on view at the Ministry of Awe’s ground floor Asset Liquidation gallery.
The artwork "has become a favorite among visitors for her calm demeanor, thoughtful expression, and remarkable ability to remain perfectly still for extended periods".
Via a tongue-in-cheek press release, staff at the Ministry of Awe "first suspected a pregnancy several weeks ago after observing subtle changes in The Pig Lady's silhouette".
The Ministry of Awe in Philadelphia features large-scale installations, soundscapes, performances and interactive environments.
"This is an extraordinary moment for our institution," said Meg Saligman, founder of the bank with no money.
"While births are relatively common at zoos, aquariums, and farms, they are exceedingly rare among sculptures. We believe this may be the first documented litter born to a life-sized Pig Lady in Philadelphia, and possibly the world."
As above, The Pig Lady's estimated due date is 23 June, and visitors have been encouraged to suggest baby names, bar predictable options like 'Bacon', 'Hamlet' and 'Pigasso'.
The Ministry of Awe said it will provide updates as the pregnancy progresses and will announce the arrival of the piglets "as soon as they emerge, materialize, are assembled, or otherwise come into being".
The Ministry of Awe offers an immersive experience in a 19th-century former bank in Philadelphia's Old City.
"This is a reminder that miracles can happen anywhere," Saligman said. "Sometimes they happen in nature. Sometimes they happen in art. And sometimes they happen to a pregnant pig woman in Old City Philadelphia."
Opened in March, the Ministry of Awe offers an immersive experience in a 19th-century former bank in Philadelphia's Old City.
It features large-scale installations, soundscapes, performances and interactive environments created by Saligman and more than 100 Philadelphia-based artists.
Images courtesy of the Ministry of Awe
