ARTISTS STATEMENT
This drawing is the genesis for my current body of work which centers on felt issues of early postpartum and motherhood. The drawings situate references of religious motherhood imagery, Victorian hidden mother images, and other relevant art historical pieces, within contemporary caregiving scenes and domestic environments. “Madonna and Child” references of Michaelangelo’s Madonna della Pietá. However, here the child is alive and engaged with the viewer, turned toward and comfortable. Madonna’s face is covered completely. Her identity erased apart from her bare feet and breast which her child chooses to turn away from. Here I am commenting on many issues as I have experienced them in motherhood, among them being: postpartum depression, the alienation of caregiving, socially acceptable un/covering of breastfeeding, and both the hallowed as well as the debased roles of the mother.
ABOUT THE ARTIST
Born in Flint, Michigan, Emily Mayo’s work explores themes of compassion, holiness, redemption, and personal experience. Drawing from her spiritual upbringing and recent postpartum depression, her projects reframe historical imagery, such as Madonna and Child, within contemporary contexts. Her practice often blends personal narrative with broader cultural and social inquiries. Working in a variety of mediums including drawing and installation her pieces have been showcased in exhibitions around the U.S. She has won several awards in these exhibitions. Her work has been featured in several publications including the 13th Manifest INDA, ArtMaze Magazine in London, and three drawing instructional books. She has participated in several artist residencies including a full fellowship to Vermont Studio Center. Emily Mayo received an MFA in Drawing from Kendall College of Art and Design in 2018. She currently teaches in the Art & Art History Dept. at Hope College in Holland, MI. She lives in Grand Rapids, MI, where she raises her two young boys with her husband, Nick Mayo.
© Emily Mayo