CHICAGO—Woman Made Gallery (WMG) is proud to present $acred Motherhood, an exhibition juried by artist and curator Kiki McGrath who included work in a variety of mediums by 44 artists.
Throughout history, artistic representations of motherhood have mirrored society’s perceptions of maternal roles. From serene Renaissance paintings of the Virgin Mary to stark modern photographs of working-class mothers, visual images chronicle our shifting cultural narratives and societal expectations. The maternal figure is continually redrawn to reflect the religious, political, and economic ideals of each era.
As our understanding of gender and family structure continues to evolve, so too must our artistic explorations of motherhood and caregiving. Art in this show explores diverse perspectives on contemporary maternity. It includes work that reflects on lived experience, challenges or redefines traditional concepts, examines economic and emotional labors of caregiving, and portrays diverse family structures.
Exhibition Events
The exhibition opens with a reception at Woman Made Gallery, located at 1332 S. Halsted St. in Chicago, on Saturday, January 18, from 4 to 7 PM. Regular gallery hours are Thursdays through Sundays from noon to 5 PM.
Additional events include a Virtual Artist Panel Discussion on Monday, February 10th at 6 to 7 PM with the juror, Kiki McGrath, and exhibiting artists: Emily Mayo, Kim Potowski, Schetauna Powell, and Rhonda Urdang. We will also hold a movie night featuring the film “Nightbitch” on February 8th at 6:30PM. Pizza and snacks will be provided.
Click here to watch the Virtual Artist Panel!
The exhibition concludes with a Closing Reception on Saturday, February 15, from 2 to 4 PM, offering a final opportunity to meet the participating artists in person.
Exhibiting Artists: Claire Bartleman, Andy Bellomo, Nicole Buckingham Kern, Ingrid Butterer, Maddie Casagranda, Rachel Garber Cole, Chris Cowan, DanaidX Collaboration, Yutian Deng, Kristen van Diggelen Sloan, Katherine Diuguid, Leni Dothan, Amanda Dragovic, Claire Drummond, Liz Barick Fall, Michelle Hartney, Ashley January, Jothi, Mary King, Oksana Kryzhanivska, Luiza Kurzyna, Zhi fang Li, Elizabeth Mihaltse Lindy, Laura Litten, Nesha Logan, Linda Marcus, Emily Mayo, Catherine Mellinger, Mildred Annani Mercado, Genesis Moreno, Amuri Morris, Mackenna Morse, Carol Myers, Kim Potowski, Schetauna Powell, Khytul Abyad Qazi, Gigi Salij, Marky Salvati, Alexandra Samios, Erin K. Schmidt, Rebecca C. Steiner, Ginny Sykes, Aurora Tabar, Christine Shallenberg, Rhonda Urdang
About the Juror: Kiki McGrath (she/her) is an artist based in Chicago, Illinois. Her installations and collaborative performances explore the overlapping edges of ritual, labor, and social history. Selected exhibitions include ‘Anchorhold’ in the National Cathedral in Washington DC, ‘Polishing the Glass Ceiling’ in the Chicago Cultural Center, and ‘Art in Odd Places’ in New York City. She curates shows in non-profit and alternative sites and hosts the project space Coachhouse1. For more information visit Kiki’s website: www.kikimcgrath.com
$acred Motherhood Press Release
Gallery Hours: Thursday, Friday, Saturday, Sunday, noon–5 PM | WMG is closed between exhibitions.
Please Donate: http://womanmade.org/donate
Woman Made Gallery | http://womanmade.org | 312-738-0400 | general@womanmade.org
1332 S Halsted St., Chicago, IL 60607 | Street parking nearby
Woman Made Gallery is supported in part by grants from The Chicago Department of Cultural Affairs and Special Events; The Gaylord and Dorothy Donnelley Foundation; The Illinois Arts Council Agency; the Arts Midwest GIG Fund, a program of Arts Midwest that is funded by the National Endowment for the Arts, with additional contributions from the Illinois Arts Council Agency; the Puffin Foundation; a major anonymous donor; and the generosity of its members and contributors.
