Mothers, Eggshells, and the People Who Birth Us
Installation View
Elizabeth Tinglof
Curated by Kim Abeles
Keystone Art Space - May 10-22, 2018
338 S Avenue 16, Los Angeles 90031
There have been many wonderful tributes to mother-artists or about the nurturing tenderness of motherhood. This show is not that. Mothers, Eggshells, and the People Who Birth Us is a presentation of visual art, spoken word, performance, and media that tackles the more challenging relationships we have with our mothers. Even if we don’t necessarily know a biological parent, there will be other people who birthed our essential selves.
Later in life, if our mothers are still kicking, we face the physical obstacle of caring for her, keeping her safe, whether at home or a retirement community. If a mother passes early or nears a century, she eventually represents our own mortality.
We tend to simplify our relationships with mothers, often referring back to an incident or series of effects that hang on the shoulder like a yoke. As adults, we imagine a chance to reframe a new portrait with warm and fuzzy edges.
As an extension of the exhibition theme, I also invited 50 artists ranging in age from ten years to nine decades to be part of a collective installation entitled, Mother – Portraits in Petri Dishes. Flint glass petri dishes serve as viewing containers to express a portrayal of the mother-figure who influences each path with complex connections forged in the past. Together, we might observe a multi-dimensional impression rather than hiding out in our memories.
Mother’s Day Event and Reception: The special Mother’s Day event will take place on Sunday, May 13 and is free and open to the public with poetry, spoken word, performance, and Mandala Pancakes (and other gifts of life) served by United Catalysts. Visitors of all ages can also make their own portrait of mother in a petri dish with all materials supplied.