The seven female artists in this show create work that centers the complexity of the maternal experience. “Matr” is the Latin root for material, matter, and maternal, and each of the artists explores themes of embodiment and maternal subjectivity–that is, the lived experience within her body as she mothers. Focusing on mothers as subjects is, perhaps, still considered “lesser.” The idea that a mother has a self to consider–thinking, feeling, fully fleshed and integrated–is vaguely transgressive in patriarchal societies, a prejudice that has always existed in the art world, but one that artist-mothers continually disrupt.

In this exhibition, maternal embodiment is a pathway to connecting with the sacred feminine and the innate connectivity of all things. The artists’ voices blur the lines between self and other–whether that’s human, plant, animal, or elemental. Their narratives and intentions bleed into a natural mystery that takes us into and beyond ourselves.

I consider this show co-curated; six of seven artists created new work specifically for this exhibit. I wanted the ethos of this project to be collaborative, about centering and trusting women, and moving beyond a singular, top-down narrative. Although I stage the presentation of the work, this exhibition gives each artist a platform to present her thoughts-made-art in as close to “real time” as possible. It’s a current and ongoing conversation that we hope fosters connection.

Timing for this show is not accidental. The sacred feminine is rising but needs us all to birth it. As women, our freedom and our agency are always (and newly) under assault. Safeguarding our rights and voices depends on building solidarity – an uphill task while living in a culture that often leaves us siloed with the demands of mothering. We need camaraderie and coalitions. This may sound like a heavy lift for an art show (it is), but our hope is that conversation might start here, with you, and spread to others. Let beauty be a doorway.