Mother Artist Resources

‘In search of great mystery’ by Lilly Blue (8 months pregnant with Twyla, now age 5)

We are so excited to be hosting our first ever live Mother Artist Network Forum at 10.30am on May 25th at the Museum of Contemporary Art! Since inviting Rachel Power to launch MAN in 2011 we have been lucky enough to connect with some extraordinary artists who are mothering while maintaining a rigorous arts practice. As mothers ourselves, who have continued to work in our fields while also choosing to stay home with our little ones, we are endlessly curious about the ways motherhood both propels and disrupts practice. The curious way the demands of small people can open unexpected possibilities as well as shut down opportunities which can lead to a brilliant distilling of ideology and intention. We have loved connecting, and at times collaborating with, networks of women who have come together to develop projects, explore conversations about balancing worlds and to support each other in their creative endeavours. Look out for BIG Mother Artist Network blog festival #4 coming VERY soon! In the mean time we would love to share a few links to fantastic networks and resources for mother artists and those interested in joining the conversation:

Culture mamas (Melbourne) encourages mums to connect with the arts to stimulate their intellect and connect with a supportive network of like-minded souls. If you are in Melbourne check out Mama Circles at the NGV tomorrow for a conversation about Visual Arts and the Child. Dianne Hilyear  will share the experiences, observations and conclusions she has gained after many years working in the visual arts with children and families.

The Motherload (Dallas) is an ongoing collaborative project that addresses what it is to be an artist and mother. We are thrilled to be collaborating with Leslie Robertson and Natalie Macellaio of the Motherload Project on a workshop at the Dallas Museum of Art later this year and to have contributed to their beautiful project.

Creative Mamas’ Group (Sydney) is supportive, collaborative group for creative mums to share their passion, work and ideas with like-minded mamas. They meet the first Tuesday of the months at the Polo Lounge, Darlinghurst, from 7-9pm and you can book tickets here for their next event on July 6th.

 Studio Mothers – A creative online community primarily focused on the issues that creative mothers encounter.

The Divided Heart: Art and Motherhood – Rachel Power navigates through the divided heart of mother artists to reveal the shocking, funny and moving truth of the overwhelming demands of motherhood and the undiminished passion for their work

Lost in Living – Filmed over seven years, Lost In Living, confronts the contradictions inherent in personal ambition and self-sacrifice, female friendship and mental isolation, big projects and dirty dishes. Behind the domestic curtain of motherhood, where the creative impulse can flourish or languish, are four women determined to make a go of it.

Who does she think she is? – a documentary by Academy Award winning filmmaker Pamela Tanner Boll featuring five fierce women who refuse to choose between being an artist and being a mother.