Maternal Art is a feminist art movement that emerged as a genre in the USA in the 1970s with Mary Kelly's Postpartum Document. According to art historian Lucy Lippard, Post-Partum Document "outlines social interference into the 'ideal' relationship of mother and child (or artist and object) in terms of desire, presence and absence." For Lippard, and other art historians, this project must be considered within a feminist discourse of consciousness-raising, collaborative work, and discussions about sexual division of labor.
Also known as Mothernism
Definition(s)
editMaternal Artist, Sarah Irvin notes the problem of the name of the movement: "because language has so far ignored the reality we are trying to express
Difficulties & Discrimination
editIt is no surprise to experience discrimination within the conservative art establishment. I have pretended not to be pregnant and have hid my kids at various low points in my art dealings. I received one day sick leave from my teaching job for each pregnancy...I anticipated institutional discrimination (private dealers included) but it is depressing to encounter condescension from other artists. The taboo against motherhood (and/or speaking of it) seems fostered by the male myth of art as separate from and above all else. This is old stuff.
-Arlene Shechet
Forum on Motherhood, Art, and Apple Pie
M/E/A/N/I/N/G
it has heretofore been unspoken
Maintenance Art
editand we are hesitant to define ourselves using the flawed language we have at our disposal