The Glorious Mother: Artist Mothers Fight Discrimination in Italian Art System

The Glorious Mother is an open discussion group founded during the first lockdown by a tight-knit group of thirty- to forty-year-old female artists from across Italy. The collective aims to address the challenges artist mothers face in balancing parenting and their careers. Members include Sara Basta, Cristina Cusani, Grossi Maglioni (Francesca Grossi and Vera Maglioni), Mariana Ferratto, Caterina Pecchioli, Jonida Prifti, Dafne Salis, and Miriam Secco. The group highlights systemic discrimination: lack of contracts, inadequate tax codes for visual artists, no maternity or paternity leave, and exclusion from residencies and exhibitions that do not accommodate families. They note that Italian Council has begun covering expenses for children up to age six in its grant program, but much remains to be done. The artists call for affordable studio spaces, grants similar to the Dutch start stipendium and basic stipendium, childcare at exhibition openings, and family-inclusive residencies. They emphasize the need for a cultural revolution around care work and economic recognition for caregivers. The group is open to all, including men, but notes the near absence of cis-male participation in public discussions. The interview was conducted by Santa Nastro, vice director of Artribune.