Women, Art + Motherhood – Can we have it all & still be in the history books?
Back in the 80s writer, Linda Nochlin, poised the question’ Why have there been no great women artists?’
When we look back at the history of art, we see a male dominated historical perspective. Is this because women didn’t make art or if they did, was their art not deemed professional enough to be included in historical documentation? Or was it because women, were once again placed into the domestic sphere? Where their placement seen as domestic not professional? Where their art making, like all other domesticated skills, were seen as less than or as a hobby. I think you know where I’m going here.
Now I’d rather not become political here, beat my chest, burn my bra and expound the injustices of society because, as much as I’d like to, I feel we have indeed grown as a society to recognise the imbalance of gender roles. I appreciate my former feminists for their work in highlighting this misjustice to the world, and I honour their courage to pave the way for my generation and generations to come to enable us to embark on an artistic vocation where we are included in history.
Linda Nochlin’s essay did encourage us to think beyond the accepted historical perspective and question the male standpoint on what is deemed good art to be included into the history books. I would however like to take this a step sideways.
During this time, we were told that we could have it all. We could have a career, be a wonder mother with a superhero cape making the lamingtons for the Cake Day Stall, be a domestic goddess and a perfect partner, but can we?
Making art for a profession is like any other business (and no business was not taught at art school in the 90s!). We need time to create the work yet have other hats on to make our business successful. Know accounting, marketing, business relationships, not to forget carving out that precious time to make the art. Which if you are like me, I need space and solitude. I find it challenging to make it in between the school drop off and the school pick up. To be in the ‘flow’ means switching off and being relaxed. This means not putting the phone alarm on, so I don’t miss bus pick up time. Flow state does not equate to alarms. As an alarm means racing to the bus stop in my painting clothes, only to come home, be swept up in the after-school chaos and then find its time now time to make dinner - my brushes have yet to be cleaned that the studio door is wide open.
Alex Morris writes in her Substack “ Studies show that men with kids excel in their career while women tend to regress”. Is this the reason why women have not reached the heights in artistic merit during the ages? If we look back into history and note the women who have made it in the books – Artemisa Gentileschi, Élisabeth Vigée Le Brun, Frida Kahlo, Georgia O’Keeffe, Mary Cassatt, Angelica Kauffman, Australian Clarice Beckett (depicted ),and the newly discovered Hilma Af Klint. Only one of these women were a mother. This is Le Brun.
I was recently told that when you become a mother there is a part of your brain particularly in the amygdala that is switched on and helps with child bonding. This is very powerful and helps understand why we become attached and very protective of our children. In Alex’s piece she talks about how women after giving birth decide to change careers or even stop due to their focus on their children. Could this be another reason why we haven’t been included in the history books? Have some women picked up the brush only to put it down again after having children?
The question remains, can we have it all? Can you remain creative, committed to an artist vocation and be a mother. Are we still taken seriously in the art world.?
Recently in the famous Australian portraiture prize, The Archibald, women dominated the men by 30:27 in the 2023 prize however over the history of the prize (began 1921) only 11 women have won. That is 91 men to 11 women. We can also reflect on the ‘ Know my Name’ movement an initiative with National Gallery of Australia for further encouragement for the recognition of Australian women artists.
Can we feel buoyant and hopeful for the future when we reflect on this near equal gender entry equation?
My en plein air practice often finds me squeezing a painting in while on the way to the school bus stop to get my kids..
I guess if I want to remain hopeful that women can indeed have it all, that the momentum moving forward is to include women and obviously other minority groups into the vernacular of art history, then I can only look at social media for my inspiration.
I’m finding more often my feed belongs to incredibly gifted and talented women who are creating some of the most contemporary, thought provoking and beautifully crafted work in society now. I would dearly love to mention all my favourite painters but I’d beat myself up in I forgot to mention a favourite. I’d like to add that most of these women painters are also mothers. They are juggling domestic life, the school shuffle yet carving serious and professional careers in the art world.
There are times when the washing might not get done, the kids school clothes aren’t ironed, it’s a cheese toastie for dinner and you might question your sanity but we are doing it! We are creating this modern professional artistic life with serious recognition from our peers. Yes, it is hard, I won’t deny it however this hardship forges us to be grateful for the good times when we do feel like we can have it all - but maybe not all at the one time !.
Finally, I saw a meme yesterday which said “Successful women usually have a very supportive partner or non at all”. So I would like to thank all the very supportive partners out there helping make the domestic sphere work when their partner is creative.
Bravo to all the creative women out there having a massive go at life, art and motherhood. I think you rock! We have come to a time when we will be included in the textbooks of art history and maybe have it all too!.
Yours in art,
Bec x
Post-script: As I write this, I have been successful in my application for “The Work of Art – a development program for regional NSW women in creative business”. I’m thrilled and honoured to part of this 17 month program where I will develop my business skills and meet like-minded creative women in regional New South Wales. Yay!