Newcastle exhibition to showcase artists' perspectives on parenting

The NewBridge Project is delighted to announce MOTHEROTHER, a new exhibition curated by artist Sue Loughlin, exploring the relationship that artist mothers have with themselves, their children, society, politics and the artworld. MOTHEROTHER brings together a variety of artists' perspectives on parenting.

The selected works by Hannah Cooke, Katie Cuddon, Sarah Maple, Lauren McLaughlin, Kübra Müjde, Sara Qaed and Kate Sweeney explore caregiving within systems that often overlook, exclude, censor, minimise or legislate their experience. The exhibition is a response to themes emerging from the social art project MOTHEROTHER, which launched in January 2023 as a supportive network for artist parents and carers.

This exhibition is not intended to represent the myriad of carer and parenting roles across the creative community, the individuals experiencing the MOTHEROTHER project, nor those that the project hopes to reach. It is not exhaustive but offers glimpses into some of the facets of mothering and motherhood. The story of this exhibition, like all care journeys, is not linear or focused on conclusions.

It is something that has grown from conversations and experiences - some components developed by chance and some by design. The exhibition is indebted to the mothers and carers who have come together in the North East to share their experiences. It also wouldn't be possible without the voices of mothers who have transformed the understandings of collective care and mothering.

As with many of the aspects of MOTHEROTHER, this exhibition is a way of asking questions, generating thinking and learning from others. There is no doubt that there will be issues raised about elements that are lacking. MOTHEROTHER is an invitation to contemplate motherhood and mothering in all its forms and the mental, physical, and societal implications of this state.

Each artist's work contends with the nature of care and the role of the mother. Widely debated and scrutinised, mothering is drowned in polarising unsolicited opinions. Hannah Cooke's films, 'Ada vs. Abramovic' and 'Ada vs. Emin', challenge artworld stereotypes and bias through intricate reworkings of renowned feminist artworks. Katie Cuddon's bodily ceramics reflect upon the tactile intimacy between parent and child.

Lauren McLaughlin highlights reproductive justice, access to basic human rights, and the reclaiming of power by single mothers through video and sculpture. Sarah Maple's photographs critique social media trends around gender and pregnancy reveals, as well as exploring her own experience as an artist-parent.

In Kübra Müjde's painting, a barefoot mother cradles her child against the winter night and the cruelty of the socioeconomic gulf. Sara Qaed's drawings interrogate state violence, corruption, power, and mothering in times of genocide. Kate Sweeney's drawings and film are concerned with queer and adoptive families, exploring how relations are formed beyond the materials and myths of blood and DNA.

MOTHEROTHER

• Exhibition Dates: Saturday, June 8 to Saturday, August 10
• Open Times: Wednesday to Saturday, 12pm to 5pm
• Launch: Friday, June 7, from 1 to 3pm and 5 to 8pm
• The NewBridge Project, Newcastle upon Tyne, NE2 1AL

Visit the website here.

MOTHEROTHER: Dependant Friendly Preview

• Friday, June 7, 1 to 3pm

Exhibition openings are often inaccessible because the timings clash with evening caregiving routines. With this in mind, there will be an afternoon event ahead of the evening preview.

Visit the website here.

The evening preview, which runs from 5 to 8pm, will have a bar and no dependant support.

MOTHEROTHER: Community Social

• Tuesday, June 11, from 1 to 3pm

Explore the MOTHEROTHER exhibition and take part in a workshop led by featured artist Katie Cuddon, exploring the tactile experience of care (utilising clay).

Visit the website here.

MOTHEROTHER: Live Performance by Conway and Young

• Thursday, August 1, from 2 to 4pm

A special live performance reading of MILK REPORT by Conway and Young - a publication exploring the politics and economics of care through the lens of breastfeeding - and a discussion and Q+A with the artist duo.

Visit the website here.

Location: Newcastle upon Tyne