MotherArt: Revisited is a Chicago born collective that spreads its roots cross-country and internationally. We are setting a precedent in the way mother artists are collaborating and working remotely to create art that is unique, educational, and inspiring. We strive to address the social-political issues that mothers face today. We aim to interrupt and intervene through installations, exhibitions, and written work.
In the summer of 2017, MotherArt: Revisited debuted with the installation, “Interruption”, which featured work that focused on interrupting the status quo. In Summer 2018, MotherArt: Revisited launched its first journal issue, which features the poetry, prose and visual work from the group’s members.
Folding Clothes, Performance, 2019
Collaborative Work Highlight
Folding Clothes is a participatory performance that creates a space for developing networks and modes of expression on the role of domesticity in the home today. This universal chore of folding provides an entry point for men, women, and children into the discussion of domestic labor. It offers opportunities to speak out and ask questions; what and who activate the domestic roles in our homes? What is the value of this kind of labor? Folding Clothes, quite literally, brought the dining room table and the laundry room right to the gallery. Along with it– the presence of home, often left behind at the gallery, representation of family, children and all of the complexities that follow.
The pile of laundry consists of all kinds; work clothes, unmentionables, delicates, washcloths embroidered with phrases like “You have his smile”, dinner napkins that carry the voice of a child asking “Are we going to nuclear war?”, mismatched socks, sheets, knit blankets, children’s clothing, school spirit-wear, carefully preserved baby clothes, even a warm basket of teen clothing fresh from the dryer. It parallels the differences in how men and women use language and patterns regarding domestic acts, and how they shift ground in dialogue with one another. It gives rise to new ideas and ideologies on attitudes about work and family.
One conversation from Folding Clothes became about something much bigger. They spoke of how they always rolled their clothes. Why? Because they had a large family and very little space. Always living in cramped apartments– we were poor, work was hard to come by for my parents. We didn’t have much. But even as an adult now in my own travel I do it. And I do well financially but I still roll. It makes organizational sense. This task of folding suddenly became a conversation about Class.
Mother Art: Revisited Summit:
Knots and Nodes. Mother to Mother.
Chicago Art Department
March 19-22, 2020
Sheroes Revoluciones
MotherArt: Revisited features Interruptions
Lon Art
November 2019
Ugly Duck, London, United Kingdom
SpiltMilk Members Exhibition
MotherArt: Revisited features Interruptions
September – October 2019
Edinburgh Palette, St. Margaret’s House,
151 London Rd, Edinburgh EH7 6AE, United Kingdom
Interruptions (Collective Exhibition and Catalysis/Incubator Space)
MotherArt: Revisited
Hairpin Arts Center
July-August 2019,
Series of Workshops, Meetings, Film Screenings, Performances
2810 N. Milwaukee Avenue, Chicago, IL
Collaborative Collisions
MotherArt: Revisited
February 2018
C.C.’s Art Garage, Chicago, IL
jessicamuellerart.com 