Event, exhibition, Feminist art, Gallery, maternal, mother artist, visual art, women artists
Image credit – From the left, Leni Dothan, Double, 183x115x45cm, wooden structure, 2015. Sophia Marinkov Jones monoprint, dimension variable, 2016. Megan Wynne, Motivation, video still 2016, 4:35.
The “The M Word” exhibition is a visual and material representation of concepts that revolve around the maternal experience,, motherhood and maternal mental health.
Although her selection of artists comes from far and wide, the narrative doesn’t change. All the works actively challenge society’s attitudes to maternal subjectivity. All the works position the mother in the foreground and clearly state that they shouldn’t be afraid of being seen or being judged. They impart a strong sense of the horror, humor, love and hate, and express those ambivalent feelings that are often experienced but not really acknowledged or accepted, during motherhood.
With motherhood, ‘Love is, of course, an easier affect to acknowledge than hate: it is taken for granted in a Mother. Love’s absence is acknowledged to be a disaster. Hate, however, is frequently denied.’ (Torn in Two – The Experience of Maternal Ambivalence, Rozsika Parker, 1995). Sometimes mothers don’t feel comfortable to express these negative emotions for fear of being judged as cold, uncaring, not the perfect mother. The artists in this exhibition mark the emotional turmoil through their personal journeys and their experience of motherhood.
The maternal body is also very present throughout the exhibition taking a critical approach via contemporary meanings, against persisting taboos, showing its mutable characteristics and claiming its indisputable involvement in the politics of its representation. The artists share with us their own pain, isolation, fear and love, but first and foremost they share their resistance.
Exhibiting artists
Paula Chambers , Leni Dothan, Tracey Kershaw, Sophia Marinkov Jones, Leanne Pearce, Megan Wynne, Dawn Yow, Katy Howe and the Founding Mothers group of the Maternal Journal.
During the exhibition we will also be launching The M Wall.
From the left Helen Sargeant, screenprint on paper, 2019. Katy Howe Oh Mother, photography. Rachel Fallon – Apron no 1. To Ensure Hope is our Role; Digital print on Hahnemühle paper,2018.
The M Wall is a new DAW initiative that will bring together a collection of works dedicated to the subject of perinatal mental health and its interconnection with Art. The works included in the collection will not only be a visual depiction of the artists’ struggles, ways of coping and coming to terms with their personal maternal experiences, they will also raise the question of how art can support, reinforce and promote good mental health.
The aim of this collection will be to tour across the country in a variety of exhibition venues, conferences and seminars, with the intention of raising awareness of and opening up a conversation around the subjects and issues depicted within the works. It will form the basis for a growing collection and going forward, artists will be able to apply to submit works into this collection.
The M wall artists are – Helen Sargeant, Rachel Fallon, Caroline Kelley, Lauren Mclaughlin, Laura Fooks, Katy Howe, Amy Dignam, Public Takeover, Debbie Lee, Tracey Kershaw.
Workshops and events calendar:
Wednesday 1st | Gallery open 12 to 5 pm |
Thursday 2nd | Opening Night 6-8pm |
Friday 3rd | The Altrnative Birth plan -Visualising a positive birth – Workshop led by Womb Doula Justine Evans and Artist and Curator Amy Dignam 12:30 – 2 pm Birth visualisation absorbing positive birth imagery and exercise to nurture a powerful mental ‘blueprint’. |
Saturday 4th | Artists’ Talk 2:30 |
Sunday 5th | Family Workshop 2 – 3:30pm |
Monday 6th | Gallery Closed |
Tuesday 7th | Gallery Closed |
Wednesday 8th | Bring your work – All day 12 to 5pm |
Thursday 9th | Clothing Exchange Event (Led by Artist Susan Merrick) 12- 5pm Using donated clothing from the areas in which she works and lives, the artist sets up a space of discussion and exchange. |
Friday 10th | Mindful Crochet (Led by Artist Barbara Touati-Evans) 1 -3 pm Crochet as a way of encouraging people to experience and offers a chance to meditate in a way that many people find easier than sitting still in a room and focusing on the breath. |
Saturday 11th | Introduction to Maternal Journal (Led by Artist, Midwife and Birth Activist Laura Godfrey-Isaacs) 12:30 – 2:30 pm How creative journaling can support pregnant women and new mothers. |
Sunday 12th | Last exhibition day |
For details of listings and booking please go to the The M Word website here.