Re-Assembling Motherhood(s): On Radical Care and Collective Art as Feminist Practices

Re-Assembling Motherhood(s) is a collection of feminist research and collective artistic practice on motherhood(s), care work, and representation in the arts. It consists of seven interdisciplinary artists/mothers and ten children who produce films, images, and performances of fantastical visibility to establish new vocabularies and narratives around the maternal for future generations.

Format: Paperback / softback
Length: 180 pages
Publication date: 01 August 2021
Publisher: Onomatopee

Re-Assembling Motherhood(s) invites the reader to delve into and gain insights from the feminist research and collective artistic practice on motherhood(s), care work, and representation in the arts. Comprising seven interdisciplinary artists/mothers and ten children, Maternal Fantasies takes the social invisibility of the maternal experience as its starting point to create films, images, and performances that foster fantastical visibility. Through personal writing exercises and collective performance scores, they align themselves with ancestral figures of feminist discourses and artmaking, aiming to establish new vocabularies and narratives around the maternal for future generations. As both a handbook and an archive of feminist artmaking, this publication (re-)assembles maternal experiences, reflective essays, autobiographical writing, instructional scores, selected artworks, and a manifesto for a caring economy.

The artists/mothers in Maternal Fantasies harness their creative prowess to challenge the prevailing narratives surrounding motherhood and care work. By employing a multidisciplinary approach, they explore the complexities and nuances of the maternal experience, challenging the traditional stereotypes and expectations associated with it. Through their films, images, and performances, they create a space where mothers can reclaim their visibility, voice, and agency, challenging the dominant narratives that often marginalize and erase their contributions to society.

One of the key aspects of Maternal Fantasies is its commitment to collaboration. The artists/mothers work closely with their children, incorporating their perspectives and experiences into the creative process. This collaborative approach not only fosters a sense of inclusivity and empowerment but also allows for the exploration of intergenerational relationships and the transmission of knowledge and values. By working together, the artists/mothers create a tapestry of narratives that reflect the diverse experiences and perspectives of motherhood and care work.

In addition to their artistic endeavors, Maternal Fantasies also serves as a handbook for feminist artmaking. The publication includes a range of reflective essays, autobiographical writing, and instructional scores that provide insights into the creative processes and methodologies employed by the artists/mothers. These resources serve as a valuable tool for artists, educators, and activists who are interested in exploring feminist art practices and challenging the status quo. By sharing their experiences and strategies, Maternal Fantasies contributes to the growing body of knowledge and literature on feminist artmaking.

Furthermore, Maternal Fantasies serves as an archive of feminist artmaking. The publication showcases a selection of selected artworks that reflect the diverse range of artistic expressions and mediums employed by the artists/mothers. These artworks provide a visual representation of the maternal experience, capturing the beauty, complexity, and resilience of women who navigate the roles of motherhood and care work. By showcasing these artworks, Maternal Fantasies contributes to the preservation and promotion of feminist art history and encourages future generations to engage with and appreciate the contributions of women artists.

In conclusion, Re-Assembling Motherhood(s) is a groundbreaking publication that offers a rich and diverse perspective on motherhood(s), care work, and representation in the arts. Through the collaborative efforts of seven interdisciplinary artists/mothers and ten children, Maternal Fantasies creates a space where mothers can reclaim their visibility, voice, and agency, challenging the dominant narratives that often marginalize and erase their contributions to society. By serving as a handbook and an archive of feminist artmaking, Maternal Fantasies contributes to the growing body of knowledge and literature on feminist art practices and encourages future generations to engage with and appreciate the contributions of women artists.

Weight: 456g
Dimension: 166 x 243 x 17 (mm)
ISBN-13: 9789493148574