NGV Exhibition 'Mother' Explores the Complexities of Motherhood Through Art
The National Gallery of Victoria in Melbourne has launched 'Mother: Stories from the NGV Collection,' an exhibition curated by Sophie Gerhard and Katharina Prugger, both of whom are mothers themselves. Featuring over 200 works, the show delves into the multifaceted experiences of motherhood, from historical depictions like the Virgin Mary to contemporary pieces by artists such as David Hockney, Käthe Kollwitz, and Patricia Piccinini. It examines themes like labor, invisibility, and creativity, with sections organized into creating, giving, and leaving. Notable works include Kate Just's 'An Armour of Hope,' a knitted metal and silk piece for her son, and Kyra Mancktelow's 'One Continuous String,' which reclaims maternal history through textiles. The exhibition runs until 12 July, offering a journalistic exploration of motherhood's relentless nature, as described by the curators, without adding speculative details.
Key facts
- The exhibition 'Mother: Stories from the NGV Collection' is at the National Gallery of Victoria until 12 July.
- Curators Sophie Gerhard and Katharina Prugger, both mothers, organized the show with over 200 works.
- It includes historical and contemporary art, such as pieces by David Hockney, Käthe Kollwitz, and Patricia Piccinini.
- Themes explored include motherhood labor, invisibility, and creativity, divided into sections: creating, giving, and leaving.
- Käthe Kollwitz described her post-child-rearing art practice as working 'like a cow grazes,' indicating a loss of urgency.
- Works feature diverse media, from Jean-Auguste-Dominique Ingres's 'Virgin of the Adoption' to Kate Just's knitted 'An Armour of Hope.'
- The exhibition addresses maternal erasure, with examples like Queen Victoria's sketch of her infant and invisible mothers in 19th-century photos.
- It includes First Nations artists like Kyra Mancktelow and Guruwuy Murrinyina, highlighting cultural and generational perspectives.
Entities
Artists
- David Hockney
- Käthe Kollwitz
- Jean-Auguste-Dominique Ingres
- John Packham
- Davida Allen
- Kate Just
- Kyra Mancktelow
- Patricia Piccinini
- Tala Madani
- Queenie McKenzie
- Guruwuy Murrinyina
- Malaluba Gumana
- Christine Godden
- Elizabeth Djutarra
- Katharina Prugger
- Sophie Gerhard
- Katherine Hattam
- Hannah Brontë
- Tracey Moffatt
- Joan Leonard
- Antonio da Correggio
- Francisco Goya y Lucientes
- Queen Victoria
- Ruth O'Leary
- Emma-Kate Wilson
Institutions
- National Gallery of Victoria
- National Gallery of Victoria (NGV)
- The Ian Potter Centre: NGV Australia
- Art Almanac
Locations
- Melbourne
- Australia
- Gumbaynggirr Country
- Bellingen
- New South Wales
- Moongalba (Myora)