UK exhibitions “Sorry About the Mess” and “Acts of Creation” showcase the complex relationship between motherhood and art, spotlighting over 20 artist-mothers. Organised by Millie Walton, these shows address changing attitudes while emphasizing ongoing challenges, including the impact of childcare costs on creative practices.
Two new exhibitions in the UK are spotlighting the often chaotic interplay of motherhood and art. One of these, “Sorry About the Mess,” showcases over 20 artist-mothers at Meta’s former offices in London, a venue chosen for its stark contrast of office decor with the theme of motherhood and creativity. Organised by Millie Walton, who founded Babe Station to discuss art and motherhood post-children, the exhibition emerged from workshops she conducted for new mothers.
Co-curators include Niamh Gordon, overseeing written works, and Nefeli Sidiropoulou, managing the installation design. Featured artists include Holly Stevenson, Sophie Goodchild, and Tamarin Norwood, the latter presenting a poignant audio work reflecting on her own heartbreaking experience of motherhood.
The dialogue around motherhood in art is evolving, especially since the pandemic, though some artists resist engagement due to feeling pigeonholed. Writer Hettie Judah has initiated “Acts of Creation: On Art and Motherhood,” to address historic biases against artist-mothers, remarking on society’s earlier expectations that separated artistic identity from motherhood.
Judah notes that while representation of mother-artists is improving, practical barriers like childcare costs continue to hinder their work. Many mothers face challenges maintaining art studios due to financial constraints, which can limit their creative output.
Both exhibitions aim to raise awareness of the complexities faced by artist-mothers and celebrate the artistic contributions they make, balancing career and parenting. “Sorry About the Mess” runs until 30 March at 125 Shaftesbury Avenue, while the touring exhibition “Acts of Creation” opens in Dundee from 19 April to 13 July.
The UK exhibitions “Sorry About the Mess” and “Acts of Creation” reflect changing perceptions of motherhood in the arts, highlighting challenges that artist-mothers face. While societal attitudes are shifting toward acceptance, practical issues like childcare remain significant hurdles. These exhibitions not only celebrate artistic expression but also foster conversations about the intersection of motherhood and creativity.
Original Source: www.theartnewspaper.com