15 Artists Share Maternal Advice for Mother's Day
In celebration of Mother's Day, Hyperallergic reached out to 15 artists to share the most valuable lessons imparted by their mothers or maternal figures. Pat Oleszko recalls her mother expressing that she would be valued in college. Maddy Inez gained empathy through culinary experiences with her mother, Alison Saar, and grandmother, Betye Saar. Nathaniel Mary Quinn's mother motivated him to excel as an artist. Shahzia Sikander reminisced about practical skills taught by Donnamaria Bruton. Ali Banisadr was introduced to Carl Jung by his mother. Sculptor Mary Ann Unger, Eve Biddle's mother, cautioned against pursuing art unless necessary. Other artists shared insights on resilience, self-belief, and the unpredictability of life.
Key facts
- Hyperallergic published the article for Mother's Day.
- 15 artists contributed advice from maternal figures.
- Pat Oleszko is a multi-media artist in New York.
- Maddy Inez is a sculptor in California, daughter of Alison Saar and granddaughter of Betye Saar.
- Nathaniel Mary Quinn is a mixed-media painter in New York.
- Shahzia Sikander is a multi-media artist in New York.
- Donnamaria Bruton was a late artist who helped Sikander in 1993.
- Ali Banisadr is a painter in New York; his mother is a psychologist in Iran.
- Eve Biddle is a multi-media artist and founder of the Wassaic Project; her mother Mary Ann Unger was a sculptor.
- vanessa german is a multi-media artist in North Carolina.
- Fares Rizk is a painter and performance artist in New York.
- Elias Rischmawi is a photographer in New York.
- Aaron Bogan is an illustrator and art model in New York.
- Marilou Schultz is a Diné weaver in Arizona; her mother Martha Gorman Schultz was a Diné weaver.
- Kameron Neal is an installation and performance artist in New York.
- Nicolás González-Medina is a printmaker and immigration activist in California; his mother Virginia died in 2010.
- Anna Veedra is an artist and art model activist in New York; she was separated from her mother at birth and later reunited.
- Barbara Sapienza is an abstract oil painter and grandmother of Hyperallergic staff writer Isa Farfan.
Entities
Artists
- Pat Oleszko
- Maddy Inez
- Alison Saar
- Betye Saar
- Nathaniel Mary Quinn
- Shahzia Sikander
- Donnamaria Bruton
- Ali Banisadr
- Eve Biddle
- Mary Ann Unger
- vanessa german
- Fares Rizk
- Elias Rischmawi
- Aaron Bogan
- Marilou Schultz
- Martha Gorman Schultz
- Kameron Neal
- Nicolás González-Medina
- Anna Veedra
- Barbara Sapienza
- Isa Farfan
- Carl Jung
- bell hooks
- Cher
Institutions
- Hyperallergic
- Rhode Island School of Design
- Wassaic Project
- National Public Housing Museum
- Gagosian
- Yollocalli
Locations
- New York
- California
- Arizona
- North Carolina
- Iran
- United States
- Chicago
- Vietnam