Woman tattoos names of the mothers of her 14 exes on her body, says it’ll help with her ‘love addiction problem’

There are very few things an ex from more than a decade ago can do to still make you upset. Performance artist Harriet Richardson, 30, might have just cracked that particular code when she decided to tattoo the names of her 14 exes’ mothers on her ribcage and then posted it on Instagram.

If the point of art is attention, Richardson certainly hit that particular mark. Online, people were a mixture of confused, irritated or inspired to make jokes about this lifelong commitment. We’ve seen all manner of arts, from robot-created art to bananas stuck to the wall with duct tape. Art — as it exists in the 21st century — is not to be understood by everyone. It’s meant to inspire conversation.

Richardson sat with The Independent to share how she even thought up this idea and, more importantly, how she pulled it off. Most people in their 30s probably can’t recall what their high school sweetheart’s parents’ names were, after all. Turns out, this wasn’t the first tango Richardson has had with the public about turning her dating life into performance art.

Reportedly, in 2023, the artist carried out 100 speed dates from her computer in 24 hours, and she livestreamed the entire thing. She explained that this was her first time thinking about incorporating endurance into her art about her relationships. Luckily, she didn’t take things further than just a couple of dates.

After that, she decided that her next act was going to be exclusively about showing how women are not disposable, especially in romantic partnerships. For instance, a man who had ghosted her with an excuse that he was instead going to his dad’s birthday. Richardson just used that opportunity to inquire about his parents’ names — his mother in particular — then tattooed it on her body with no permission.

The finished art project is now called “Temporary.” The artist explained, “It’s open access information and free will. It’s not invasive. You can’t say it’s unethical. Or at least, it’s no more unethical than having sex with me and then not speaking to me again.”

Currently, Richardson has taken a personal vow of celibacy. The artist looked back on her dating life and concluded that she had a “sex and love addiction,” and while most people would consider this tattoo a hindrance to her ever finding love again, this artist apparently sees it differently.

Richardson believes that from this point on, when she meets someone she will be unable to have just another “frivolous” short-lived relationship. In order for someone to date her with the tattoo, they actually have to know her and accept her for everything she is. And it’s actually hard to dispute that.

As for the “muses” who found out about the art piece on Instagram, most just shrugged it off by sending somewhat supportive clapping emojis. Harriet explained the reason why she chose their mothers instead of the muses was a very conscious choice. Harriet said, “I was very conscious not to use men’s names. The people that are, arguably, more important to me than the men — are the women who raised them.”