Mothers in the Art World: Balancing Parenthood and Career

The article explores the challenges and transformations faced by mothers working in the Italian art sector, based on interviews with artists, curators, and cultural workers. Artist Eugenia Vanni notes the loss of 'empty time' for thinking after childbirth. Curator Federica Forti describes reorganizing her schedule around her daughter and reducing travel. Scholar Valentina Tanni, who had her daughter at 39, found that motherhood helped her prioritize and become more productive, publishing two books since 2015. Journalist Mariacristina Ferraioli highlights the difficulty of managing time against others' expectations in an industry that demands immediacy. Artist Luana Perilli credits support from her gallerist Fabrizio del Signore and a network of women, including the collective 'Pensiero Stupendo' organized by the late Laura Cionci. The article references Hettie Judah's book 'How Not To Exclude Artist Mothers (and other parents)' as a model for positive change. The author, Santa Nastro, vice director of Artribune, shares her own experience returning to work four months postpartum, emphasizing the need for longer maternity leave and a shift in workplace culture.