MOTHERHOOD by Ann Coxon

A captivating visual exploration of motherhood, as seen through the eyes of artists over the last 150 years

Depictions of motherhood are ever present in Western art yet are rarely questioned or challenged. Perhaps we may shy away from a subject that could be seen as sentimental or overly associated with idealistic constructs of femininity, nurture, and care. Whether we are mothers ourselves or we bring—or nurture—life in a wider sense, we all have some understanding of motherhood. We are all born of a woman’s body. We are formed from the messy, challenging, self-denying, and transformative experiences of motherhood.

Giving birth to their creations, artists have represented this vital and complex subject in a variety of ways, offering insight into what motherhood might mean—its joys and challenges—and seeking to articulate its unspoken aspects. This beautiful gift book delves into the subject of motherhood as seen through the eyes of artists, providing a fresh insight into maternity as an art historical subject and revealing the ways in which it has been confronted and reimagined in the last 150 years. Featuring 50 artworks in a variety of media, this book is a celebration of motherhood in all its complexity.

Ann Coxon is curator of international art at Tate Modern. She has curated numerous collection displays, including monographic galleries of works by Bruce Nauman, Louise Bourgeois, Janet Cardiff, Magdalena Abakanowicz, Phyllida Barlow, Mona Hatoum, and many others. Most recently, she curated retrospectives on Dorothea Tanning (2019) and Anni Albers (2018) as well as an exhibition on Magdalena Abakanowicz (2022). She is based in the UK.

Publication Date: September 12, 2023
Imprint: Tate Publishing
Trim Size: 6 1⁄10 x 7 7⁄10
ISBN: 9781849768375
Page Count: 128
Illustrations: 51 color images
Rights: North America, LAMC