In occasione del Mother’s Day 2020, il National Museum of Women in the Arts (NMWA) di Washington ha curato un progetto digitale che, attraverso i linguaggi dell’arte, esplorare il concetto di maternità oltre le consuete traiettorie. Con un focus su cinque artiste – Mary Cassatt, Lola Álvarez Bravo, Suzanne Valadon, Elizabeth Catlett, Louise Bourgeois –, diverse per generazione di appartenenza, stile e visione, l'iniziativa prova a scardinare preconcetti, superare dicotomie e raccontare esperienze che possono essere di ispirazione anche per le donne di oggi. “Mentre ci fermiamo a riflettere e ad apprezzare le madri nelle nostre vite o nei nostri ricordi, trovo che le rappresentazioni artistiche a loro dedicate siano un accompagnamento perfetto. Sia che si celebrino madri, nonne, zie, prozie, madrine, mentori o amiche, invitiamo tutti a unirsi a noi online”, ha affermato Susan Fisher Sterling, direttrice del NMWA.
Lola Álvarez Bravo, De Generación en Generación, ca. 1950; gelatin silver print, 18 3/4 x 14 in.; National Museum of Women in the Arts, Gift of the artist; © 1995 Center for Creative Photography, University of Arizona Foundation
Joan Cassis, Joan Cassis and Samantha, 1972; gelatin silver print, 7 /8 x 5 1/8 in.; National Museum of Women in the Arts, Gift of Victoria Cassis in memory of her daughter, Joan Cassis; © Joan Cassis
Angela Strassheim, Untitled (Yellow Tub), 2003; chromogenic color print, 29 1/2 x 37 x 1 1/2 in.; National Museum of Women in the Arts, Gift of Heather and Tony Podesta Collection; © Angela Strassheim; Photo by Lee Stalsworth
Daniela Rossell, Inge and Her Mother Ema in the Living Room (Ricas y Famosas), 2000; chromogenic color print, 50 x 60 in.; National Museum of Women in the Arts, Gift of Heather and Tony Podesta Collection; © Daniela Rossell, Courtesy of the artist and Greene Naftali, New York; Photo by Lee Stalsworth
Mary Cassatt, Mother’s Kiss, 1890-1891; drypoint and aquatint on paper, 13 3/4 x 9 in.; National Museum of Women in the Arts, Gift of John and Linda Comstock in loving memory of Abigail Pearson Van Vleck; Photo by Lee Stalsworth
Mary Cassatt, The Bath, 1891; oft-ground etching with aquatint and drypoint on paper, 12 3/8 x 9 5/8 in.; National Museum of Women in the Arts, Gift of Wallace and Wilhelmina Holladay; Photo by Lee Stalsworth
Marie Danforth Page, Her Littlest One, 1914; oil on canvas, 36 1/8 x 29 1/2 in.; National Museum of Women in the Arts, Gift of Wallace and Wilhelmina Holladay; Photo by Lee Stalsworth
Justine Kurland, Self-Portrait with Casper, Texas Canyon, 2006; chromogenic color print, 19 x 22 in.; NMWA, Gift of Heather and Tony Podesta Collection; © Justine Kurland, Courtesy of the artist and Mitchell-Innes & Nash, New York
Justine Kurland, Waterfall, Mama Babies, 2006; chromogenic color print, 30 x 40 in.; NMWA, Gift of Heather and Tony Podesta Collection; © Justine Kurland, Courtesy of the artist and Mitchell-Innes & Nash, New York
Suzanne Valadon, The Abandoned Doll, 1921; oil on canvas, 51 x 32 in.; National Museum of Women in the Arts, Gift of Wallace and Wilhelmina Holladay; Photo by Lee Stalsworth