Visualising Motherhoods Hidden Labour

 VISUALISING

MOTHERHOOD

The hidden labour

THIS RESEARCH CONTRIBUTES TO FEMINIST ART HISTORY BY ADDRESSING THE INTERSECTION OF MATERIALITY,

LABOR, AND MOTHERHOOD WITHIN CONTEMPORARY ARTISTIC PRACTICES. IT HIGHLIGHTS THE OVERLOOKED

CONNECTIONS BETWEEN DOMESTIC LABOR AND ARTISTIC CREATION, OFFERING A NUANCED ANALYSIS OF

HOW WOMEN’S LIVED EXPERIENCES ARE REPRESENTED, CRITIQUED, AND REIMAGINED IN VISUAL CULTURE. BY

ENGAGING WITH THESE THEMES, THIS THESIS SEEKS TO BROADEN THE UNDERSTANDING OF HOW ART CAN

FUNCTION AS BOTH A REFLECTION AND A CRITIQUE OF THE SOCIETAL STRUCTURES THAT DEFINE WOMEN’S

LABOUR.

Ciara Reilly

B.A. (hons) in Fine Art, Atlantic Technological University, 2024

B.A(Hons) in Fine Art

Fine Art

Ciara Reilly

Ciara Reilly

28-04-2025

P a g e 1 | 34Contents

_____________________________________________________________

Introduction

____________________________________________________________________

Chapter 1: Materiality – The Impact of Everyday Objects ____________________________

Section 1. Theoretical Framework

______________________________________________

Section 2. Case Studies of Artworks

____________________________________________

Historical Context of Motherhood

_______________________________________________

Chapter 2: Ritualistic Care – Invisible Labour of Motherhood

______________________

Section 2. Motherhood in Art – Material and Emotional Labor

____________________

Chapter 3: Visualising Motherhood in the 21st Century – A Case Study ______________

Section 1: Thematic Framework

_______________________________________________

Section 2: Case Study 1 – “What You See is the Unseen / Chandeliers for Five Cities”

____________________________________________________________________________

Section 3: Case Study 2 - "Needling Whisper, Needle Country / SMS Series in

Camouflage" ________________________________________________________________

Section 5: Synthesis and Connection to Broader Themes ________________________

Conclusion

____________________________________________________________________

List of Illustrations

_____________________________________________________________

References

____________________________________________________________________

Bibliography ___________________________________________________________________

P a g e 2 | 34Introduction

The invisibility of women’s labor, though persistent, is often overlooked by both society

and art history. A growing number of contemporary artists engage with this theme by

incorporating everyday materials to symbolize the labor women perform, both seen and

unseen. Mary Kelley’s work, for example, utilizes yarn—a material traditionally

associated with the domestic sphere, particularly with knitting, which historically

served as both a leisure activity and a vital necessity for women, especially in

impoverished contexts. This duality reflects how domestic labor, though essential, is

often relegated to the private sphere and undervalued. Amy Cutler’s paintings, which

depict the stark and often grim realities of childbirth, confront another form of labor

typically marginalized in both artistic and public discourse. By focusing on the intensity

and complexity of this experience, Cutler sheds light on the emotional and physical toll

that is often rendered invisible in discussions of women’s work. Similarly, Sheena

Gowda’s use of everyday materials in her art, such as metal and rope, resonates with

the lived experiences of marginalized rural women in India, offering a critical

perspective that diverges from Western notions of motherhood. These artists, through

their chosen materials and themes, transform the labor of women into a visual language

that critiques and redefines cultural narratives about motherhood and work.

This thesis is structured into three chapters. Chapter 1 delves into the role of materiality

in women’s art, examining how everyday objects not only symbolize but actively

participate in the representation of labor. Chapter 2 shifts focus to the often-invisible

work of motherhood, exploring caregiving rituals and their depiction in visual culture.

Chapter 3 offers a case study approach to analyzing contemporary representations of

motherhood in 21st-century art, interrogating how these depictions challenge and

reshape societal expectations. Together, these chapters engage with the intersection of

materiality, labor, and motherhood, illustrating how contemporary art both critiques and

transforms the traditional narratives surrounding women’s roles.

This research contributes to feminist art history by addressing the intersection of

materiality, labor, and motherhood within contemporary artistic practices. It highlights

the overlooked connections between domestic labor and artistic creation, offering a

nuanced analysis of how women’s lived experiences are represented, critiqued, and

reimagined in visual culture. By engaging with these themes, this thesis seeks to

broaden the understanding of how art can function as both a reflection and a critique of

the societal structures that define women’s labour.

P a g e 3 | 34Chapter 1: Materiality – The Impact of Everyday Objects

Materiality can mean many things. In this chapter we will explore its meaning through

the lens of feminist art history and its ties to women’s labour. Materiality can be defined

as simply being or can be defined by the significance of the composition of matter.

Marcha Meskimmon “argues that aesthetics and art-making are especially significant to

a feminist corporeal-materialist project in that they mobilise materiality, the senses and

response-ability towards engaged and ethical responsibility. A feminist corporeal-

materialist aesthetics moves away from representation towards figuration and thus

shifts the methodological ground from reflection to diffraction.” (Meskimmon 2019)

Materiality in this chapter refers to both the physical and symbolic aspects of materials

and their relation to women’s labour in art. Meskimmon’s argument invites a shift in

perspective from representation to figurations, offering a more interactive

understanding of art.

With this context we can explore the definition of women’s labour through the lens of

everyday objects. Textiles such as Afghan carpets or embroidery are inherently tied to

women’s labour as recognized by Stephanie Sabo in her journal discussing Conflict

Zones, Labor and Cultural Exchange. “The designs imagined by the artists were

produced by the weavers over a period of months, and the resulting works were

exhibited and sold to benefit a women’s charity in Afghanistan.” (Sabo 2019) Sabo

further explores the socio-economic context of labour reflecting global inequalities and

power dynamics inherent in women’s labour. Building on the theoretical framework set

out by Meskimmon, artists like Ham Kyungah use mixed media, while operating out of

Seoul, uses north Korean textiles to explore social and economic power dynamics.

Kyungah reflects the impact of conflict on both the material and human dimension of

art. Sheela Gowda offers another unique perspective as her work “And Tell Him of My

Pain” uses traditional everyday materials found in rural India, exploring everyday objects

from rural Indian life. By analysing these works and their socio-economic contexts, we

can begin to understand how materiality, gender, and labour intersect in the

contemporary world. The following section will explore how artists like Ham Kyungah

and Sheela Gowda use everyday materials to comment on these issues, shedding light

on the global inequalities that shape women’s labour

P a g e 4 | 34Section 1. Theoretical Framework

Rozsika Parker explores the relationship between everyday objects and their

significance to the feminine experience, specifically in the domestic sphere. Parker

states “that embroidery and a stereotype of femininity have become collapsed into one

another, characterised as

mindless, decorative and

delicate, like icing on a cake,

good to look at, but devoid of

significant content” (Mathews

and Parker 1991) Faith Ringold’s

“Woman on a Bridge” highlights

women’s fantastical desire to be

free, utilising printed and

painted quilt fabric, a traditional

craft associated with domestic

work to showcase this desire.

While a somewhat optimistic

presentation of women at the

time, the motif remains

steadfast in its impact today.

Ringgold is a longtime activist,

fighting for the rights of black

women in America, this can be

seen in her artworks as she

focuses on telling a story in her

art as opposed to intricate

techniques. The telling of information is key to Ringgold in her work and through her use

of quilted fabric, an added layer is shown to the audience while remaining a background

element of the work. Ringgold also used acrylic paint on this piece, while the quilt

remains a background element, it is vital to the structure of the piece, every thread a

necessary foundation to the story being told. While her work comes from a time of

oppression against black women, Ringgold channels this hostile energy through a lens

of colourful, optimistic and fantastical quilted squares.

Figure 1 Faith Ringgold, Woman on a Bridge #1 of 5: Tar Beach, 1988.

Acrylic paint, canvas, printed fabric, ink, and thread, 74 5/8 x 68 1/2 inches,

Solomen R. Guggenheim Museum, New York

P a g e 5 | 34Figure 2 Mona Hatoum, Great Divide, Sculpture, 2002, White Cube Hoxton Square

Mona Hatoum also uses everyday materials such as human hair, to challenge

traditional notions seen in art. In her exhibition “Great Divide” in 2022 Hatoum employs

motifs of metal beds, visualising an institutional aesthetic. Briefcases are connected to

each other by human hair. The work is impactful to view, recalling the social control held

over women and the ritualistic use of furniture typically associated with safety, a bed,

instead being weaponised within institutions designed to control women. Hair has long

since been associated with femininity and furthermore, power. Using human hair in her

work is a powerful mechanical to visualise something not usually drawn to the forefront

of the audience’s attention. Typically seen as something that is, as opposed to

something that should be actively noticed. It draws from the association of women

keeping up their appearances, while being actively oppressed by society. Ham Kyungah

is an artist based in Seoul who uses traditional North Korean textiles in her work,

representing an invisible subject hidden through layers of sociopolitical ideologies and

subjectivity. Kyungah’s work is representative of an unseen injustice on North Korean

women, given an audience through her. As seen, materiality transforms our perception

of women’s labour through these pieces. Women are constantly fighting a battle being

physically, mentally and spiritually restrained within the confines of a society they had

little part in creating their perception in. Strong women are reduced to delicate

creatures of the house, not unlike embroidery or quilting, despite such activities being

necessary, they are seen as decorative.

P a g e 6 | 34Section 2. Case Studies of Artworks

Sheela Gowda, born in 1957, is an artist based in India. Gowda is renowned for her

installation artworks where she uses everyday materials to convey emphasis on

traditional craftsmanship and labour. The materials used in her practise represent

everyday rural life in India, including humans air, cow dung and Kumkum powder.

Gowda chooses not to outsource the physical labour of her practise as she sees it as

integral to the practise. The materials themselves dictate the piece it will be become.

“And Tell Him of my Pain” is a key work of Gowda’s

where red cords were hung and bound together with

red Kumkum powder. In total the piece had a length

of 360 feet of thread. The work represents the body

of marginalised women, undervalued in India while

being important players in the structure of society.

The work can see been as literal in the sense that it

is representing organs and vessels, or it can be seen

as metaphor for the marginalised women that build

the foundation of society. While the work tethers the

line between abstraction and literal, it invites a

nuanced lens to view society through. Politics is

ever present in Gowda’s work where she presents

thought provoking imagery, inviting the viewer to

reimagine the materials they see around them.

Figure 3 Sheela Gowda, And Tell Him of My

Pain, 2002–2007. Courtesy the artist.

Another key work of Gowda’s

“behold” she uses 400,000 metres

of human hair to create dense rope,

which is hung from the ceiling and

woven together in a large

installation piece. The piece fills the

entirety of the room. The piece was

inspired by the industrialisation of

female hair, where the hair comes

from temples where pilgrims

sacrifice their hair which is then

sold as wigs. This mimics the theory

discussed in section 1 discussing

how female hair is associated with

Figure 4 Sheela Gowda, Behold, 2009, human hair, steel.

Installation view, Van Abbemuseum, Eindhoven, the Netherlands,

2013. Photo: Peter Cox.

P a g e 7 | 34beauty, and the links it to perceived value. Gowda’s excessive use of human hair in this

piece forces the viewer to see it, an ever day object seen by most ever single day, in a

new light.

Handling a material makes me understand its limitations and its potential … I therefore

do not outsource the physical aspect of artmaking.

Sheela Gowda quoted in Trevor Smith (ed.), Sheela Gowda, exhibition catalogue, Bose

Pacia Gallery, New York 2007, p.148. (Who is Sheela Gowda? | Tate [no date])

Figure 5Figure 5 Ham Kyungah, what you see is the unseen / Chandeliers for Five Cities SR 01-02, 2015, North Korean

hand embroidery, silk threads on cotton, middle man, tension, anxiety, bribe, censorship, ideology, wooden frame,

approx. 1600hrs / 2persons, 180

Ham Kyungah’s practise is defined by both the historical and the present relevance of

power dynamics. She is well known for her collection “What You See is the Unseen”

Kyungah uses embroidered canvases created with assistance from North Korean

artisans who alongside Ham, create detailed embroidery. The communication happens

in code, and the pieces are smuggled to and from south and north Korea. The piece is

unassuming at first, it is the needlework done by anonymous North Korean artisans that

breath new meaning into what it means to be seen. There was a risk of the works being

confiscated in transit, and of course the safety of the artists in North Korea was also a

concern however this risk is part of the process for Kyungah. The importance of the risk

P a g e 8 | 34highlights the important of giving those with no voice, a platform to be heard. The piece

shows a glimmering chandelier on a black background, offering a juxtaposition between

the two countries, giving the viewer a lens to view the invisible oppression, censorship

and anxiety associated with North Korea, while also offering the glamourous and

sparkling chandelier to represent what could be.

“If politics, systems, and rules are based on some sort of ideology, I think that art is

something that lies on the edge where it can transcend, translate, and express one's

experience. ” Ham Kyungah (Kyungah Ham | Ocula [2016])

Each artist discussed comes from a different political, economic and geographical

area, but they intersect in their use of everyday materials to visualise harrowing topics

considered taboo in everyday life. The physical labour of transporting works across

borders where safety is at risk for everyone involved so that those marginalise people

get their voices heard, of sewing a quilt representing the oppression of black women

and using human hair and Kumkum powder as a vessel to discuss the foundational

necessity of women in India. The mental labour of working with disturbing topics, often

associated with an intense history of oppression, such as Mona Hatoum’s piece Great

Divide, is ever present in the choice an artist makes to use material that bare the load of

this mental and physical anguish. We can further explore the intent of the materials as a

mode of metaphor.

P a g e 9 | 34Historical Context of Motherhood

The representation of motherhood has undergone significant transformation over the

centuries. Maternal figures were often idealised, portrayed as nurturing caregivers

within the domestic sphere. Particularly during the 18th and 19th century these

deceptions reinforced traditional gender roles and the notion of motherhood as an

inherently virtuous state. Mary Cassett with works such as Mother and Child

exemplified the idealised portrayal of motherhood at the time, emphasizing the

tenderness that comes with maternal care with the added layer of a mother bound by

the societal religious expectations of her. Romanticised portrayal like this, overlook the

complexities and challenges of motherhood, imprisoning the labour and emotional toil

many mothers experience to the privacy of the home. Giya’s The Family of Charles Iv

presented an aristocratic family portrait which shows a Queen Maria standing at the

centre surrounding by her children. The mother being placed at the centre of the

painting shows a mother’s central role within the domestic sphere. While both paintings

depict motherhood differently there are key comparisons to be made, particularly the

focus on the societal expectations of the time being mirrored in the pieces,

romanticizing the often unseen or undervalued labour of motherhood

Figure 6 Mother and Child (The Oval Mirror) Mary Cassatt, American, ca. 1899, The Met Fifth Avenue, Gallery 774

P a g e 10 | 34Mary Cassett’s Mother and Child is a key example is exploring the intimacy of the

domestic sphere, capturing the tender relationship between mother and child. As a

central figure in the impressionist movement, Cassett was known for her ability to

portray women with a sensitivity not seen at the time. In this painting, Cassett portrays a

child nestled in the mother’s chest, the body language of both figures suggesting

warmth and comfort, particularly showing the love a mother has for her child while

gazing down on them. All these qualities were seen as societally expected and such

idealised within the portrayals of motherhood in the 19th century. Within the cultural

context, motherhood was seen as a virtuous act, with mothers’ primary function to care

for children domestically, witling their identity to that of a caregiver. Paintings such as

Mother and Child reinforce these notions while also depicting the societal burden of

religious expression. The oval mirror behind the child reveals a halo behind them,

enhancing the link to the Virgin Mary and Jesus.

Mother and Child reflects the maternal bond while also addressing the limitations of the

eras romanticised view on motherhood. The image, while affectionate, overlooks the

depth of the emotional labour involved in motherhood. While this is a singular

interpretation of the piece, the societal relevance of the time permeates the piece,

showcasing the visual representations of motherhood as a romanticised role in the

household.

Figure 7 The Family of Charles IV, 1800 by Francisco Goya

P a g e 11 | 34When discussing Goya’s work, The Family of Charles IV its important to consider the

context of royalty. The painting represents the family in a highly idealised yet socially

grounded manner. Paying particular attention to Queen Maria Lusia of Spain at the

centre of the image, flocked by her children, we can analyse in depth the significance of

the mother as not only central to the composition but also central to the foundation of

society. Unlike other depictions of motherhood aiming to connect on the emotional

bonds between mother and child, Goya portrays a sense of public responsibility in his

piece. The mother present is not only the symbol of love, but also a symbol of prestige,

graciousness and royalty.

The royal family is often associated with religious symbolism and standards and this

societal expectation stands true in Goya’s piece. This is subtly suggested by the careful

positioning and body language of the figures within the painting, echoing an almost

ceremonial atmosphere. The figures are stiff and formal, showing the rigidness of

society in its steadfastness around the expectations of motherhood. Goya illustrated

the duality of mother and monarch in his piece, while a reigning queen her depiction is

underscored by the pervasive societal view of motherhood as her primary identity.

Despite her status as a queen, the painting reinforces the notion that her most

important duty is as a caregiver to her children. Her role as mother is presented as her

primary role in the familial sphere and the regal attire and formal atmosphere does not

detract from the underlying message that her role is primarily as caregiver to her

children. Goya’s work becomes a profound commentary on the limitations placed on

women of the era, where even figures of immense power were first and foremost view

through the lens of motherhood, shaping their public and private lives alike.

P a g e 12 | 34Chapter 2: Ritualistic Care – Invisible Labour of

Motherhood

The concept of invisible

labour can be a difficult

topic to tackle, how do

you define something

you cannot perceive?

The truth is, invisible

labour can be seen

everywhere around us

and in the context of

motherhood, we can

analyse the tasks of the

unseen yet

indispensable work that

are integral to core of

Figure 8 Mary Kelly, Post-Partum Document, 1973-79, perspex units, white card,

sugar paper, crayon, 1 of the 13 units, 35.5 x 28 cm each

daily life. From everyday

domestic tasks to the emotional nurture inherent in mothers, they are often dismissed

as unremarkable as these tasks typically go unnoticed. Mary Kelleys postpartum

document, explored the early years of her son’s life, making visible the unseen aspects

that come with maternal care. The complete work has 139 individual parts, exploring

the labour of mothers from changing nappies to diary entries, we get a glance into the

more intimate side of the labour of motherhood. Kelley was engaging in a topic that was

not often discussed out loud in the 70’s.

Adrienne Rich, author of “Of Woman Born” delves into the oppression of women,

specifically calling on men to step up to the caregiving role. Though written in the 70’s,

Rich’s sentiment rung familiar bells with women during the pandemic, specifically

Cynthis R. Wallace who writes “ My pandemic experience, reduced to an atomized

household, exposes the mid-century lie of a self-contained and self-sustaining nuclear

family: one woman (or even one set of parents) cannot possibly meet the sum total of a

child’s needs, regardless of whether she or they are concurrently working for wages.”

(Rereading Of Woman Born: Motherhood as Experience and Institution - Ploughshares

[2021]) The piece highlights the connection women find throughout time and history,

despite different circumstances, their lived experience remains steadfast. Rich and

Wallace reflect on the labour of motherhood in the caregiving aspect, and how despite

being foundational to the lived experience in the domestic sphere can go unnoticed on a

societal level.

P a g e 13 | 34Maternal care can be likened to ritualistic, the cyclical nature of tasks such as feeding

and cleaning invites a sense of routine, both grounding and exhausting. These acts

reflect the dual nature of the labour involved, emotional and physical. With this labour

comes the burden of love, yet despite being central to societal survival, this invisible

labour of motherhood generally goes unnoticed. Artists like Louise Bourgeois, Mary

Kelley and Caroline Walker seek to disrupt the invisibility, visualising the labour of other

in their artworks. This chapter explored the intersection of ritual labour and art, in the

context of motherhood. It examines how these artists use their work to critique and

celebrate maternal care, giving the unseen a platform to be witnessed.

Section 2. Motherhood in Art – Material and Emotional Labor

Artists such as Louise Bourgeois, Caroline Walker and marry Kelley visually articulate

the complexities of invisible maternal care, making the unseen aspects of mother

visible in their work. Analysing specific pieces by these artists exploring a consistent

theme, despite having different lived experiences and different time periods of

relevance, their work reflects the broader dilemma of ritualistic unseen labour of

mothers.

Figure 9 Post-Partum Document. Documentation III: Analysed Markings And Diary Perspective Schema

(Experimentum Mentis III: Weaning from the Dyad)

P a g e 14 | 34Mary Kelley, born 1941, used everyday materials from her average domestic day as a

mother to create and display as artwork as part of her “Post Partum Document” piece

which debuted from 1973-1979. At a time when send wave feminism became prevalent,

Kelley wanted to represent the domesticated life of women post war. Kelley collected

memorabilia from her son’s life from the day he was born to age 5, Kelley documents

some of her fears and anxieties while simultaneously being surrounded by drawings

from her young son. He draws directly over Kelleys’ words, symbolling the work done by

Kelley being invisible to the child. The child being so carefree contrasts directly with

Kelley’s emotional words. Both exist in a symbiotic relationship where Kelley’s son

wants to be seen while saying nothing, whereas Kelley herself has so much to say with

little of her words being heard. Kelley herself says “If any work of art should be allowed

to speak for itself, it is this one, since its goal is to give voice” (Mary Kelley [no date])

Figure 10 Mary Kelly, *Post-Partum Document: Introduction*, 1973. Mixed media: Perspex units, white card, wool

vests, pencil, ink. Dimensions: 10 × 8 in (25.4 × 20.3 cm). Exhibited at Hammer Museum, Los Angeles.

Deeper analysis of the piece leads to the exploration of the topic on a primitive level, as

Kelleys son, untouched by societal expectations juxtaposes Kelleys lived experience as

a mother being expected to participate in laborious tasks in her day-to-day life without

P a g e 15 | 34any thanks for it. Annotated Nappy liners are a striking element used in the piece, these

annotations alone may not be impactful but paired with the nappy liners, a the

mundane is transformed from a private maternal task into a public spectacle. The

viewer is compelled to confront the raw and unglamourous aspect of motherhood,

underscoring the often-overlooked realities of maternal life. Kelley’s work aligns with the

feminist movement’s broader critique of domestic labour. The everyday object included

in the post-partum document elevate the personal, intimate objects of a mother’s life,

into an audience capable of witnessing something typically kept in the domestic

sphere.

Figure 11 Maman, Louise Bourgeois, Bronze Marble and Steel, 29 ft 4 3/8 in x 1 7/8 in x 38 ft 5/8 in, Guggenheim Bilbao

museoa, 1999

Louise Bourgeois, born 1911, began her endeavours into sculpture when her

dissatisfaction with paintings led to her to hypothesising that she could create far

deeper emotions in a three-dimensional space. Bourgeois sought to bring something

typically hidden in the psyche, to the forefront of reality. Bourgeois is most well known

for her largest sculpture, Maman, meaning Mom in French. The embodiment of many

fears, the sculpture shows a powerful spider figure made from brass and steel. TheP a g e 16 | 34symbolism of the spider was a repeated motif in Bourgeois’s work for much of her

career. Spiders are a familiar and for many, fearful creature that can represent anxiety

but also symbolise the protective nature of mothers. Despite arachnophobia being a

common fear, it does not seem to have its role in the purpose of the sculpture, instead

Bourgeois was viewing the spider through the lens of a nurturing mother.

Spiders symbolise a childhood fear that is commonly shared amongst many people,

however they also symbolise the unconditional love of a mother. The sculpture itself is

made of a strong material, steel and bronze, at a staggering 30 feet tall the giant spider

overwhelms the viewer. The spider can be characterised by its elongated legs and a

body suspended above the viewer carrying a sac of marble eggs. The sculpture is

intricately detailed evoking an almost primal, visceral reaction showcasing both the

strength and vulnerability that comes from motherhood.

Bourgeois own mother was a tapestry weaver, so an assumption can be made that

Maman is a direct reflection of Bourgois own mother. With this added context, the

spider seen as a weaver, becomes a powerful metaphor for the intricate and continuous

work of mother, work that, like weaving, is both essential and largely unseen.

“Like a spider, my mother was a weaver. My family was in the business of tapestry

restoration, and my mother was in charge of the workshop. Like spiders, my mother was

very clever. Spiders are friendly presences that eat mosquitoes. We know that

mosquitoes spread diseases and are therefore unwanted. So, spiders are helpful and

protective, just like my mother.”(Female Iconoclasts: Louise Bourgeois - Artland

Magazine [no date])

In Maman, Bourgois invites the viewer to confront their perception of motherhood,

making the invisible labour and emotional complexities of maternal care visible. Her

work situates maternal care with a broader narrative of feminist art, challenging the

traditional domestic sphere by elevating it to the realm of public art and culture

discourse. The towering sculpture transforms the delicate and often unseen aspect of

maternal work into something grand and undeniable, the spider dual role as both a

creator and protecter mirrors the multifaced nature of mother, where nurturing and

providing security are constant yet frequently unacknowledged tasks. This act of making

the intimate privacy of motherhood public, serves as a powerful critique of the societal

structures that have long devalued women.

P a g e 17 | 34Figure 12 Caroline Walker, Night Feed, 2022, Oil on board, 36 x 30 cm

Caroline Walker, born 1982, is a contemporary artist who engages the nuances of

domestic spaces and often the unseen labour of women, in particular mothers.

Walker’s focus on the intimate everyday moments reflects the often-quiet resilience

and solitude for women in the domestic setting. In painting such as Nightfeed, Walker

portrays a woman engaging in mundane tasks, moments that are tender, intimate and

unseen to society. Walker’s use of natural light and shadows plays a crucial role in

conveying the emotional depth of these scenes. This represent not only the physical

P a g e 18 | 34space but also the inner lives of the subject. Walker typically bathes the subject of her

work in a welcoming warm golden light juxtaposing the cold hue representing the

mundaneness of the world outside.

The solitary figures within Walker’s painting underscore the isolation that often comes

with motherhood, even within familial surroundings the women often appear alone,

engrossed in their domestic tasks. The visual narrative speak to the hidden emotional

labour and the often-unspoken loneliness many mothers experience.

Walker’s work aligns with broader feminist critiques of the undervaluation of domestic

labour. By bringing these private moments into the public sphere, her paintings

challenge traditional notions of motherhood and domesticity, elevating the often-

overlooked efforts of women to a place of visibility “My work engages with the history of

painting women, which has largely cast the male artist as the portrayer of the female

realm. I suppose I’m revisiting that, but through a female gaze,”(Caroline Walker: The

Female Gaze – the thread [no date]) Historically, the representation of women in art has

often been dominated by male artists who have shaped and defines how femininity and

motherhood are portrayed. These representations tend to reinforce traditional gender

roles and often objectified the female experience

Figure 13‘Bathroom Sink Cleaning, Mid-Morning, March’, from 2019 © Caroline Walker

P a g e 19 | 34By adopting a “Female Gaze” Walker reclaims the power to define and portray mothers

lived experience, particularly the invisible and undervalued aspect of domestic labour.

"Walker’s work challenges the patriarchal lens that has long dictated artistic narratives,

subverting the stereotypical portrayal of women as passive subjects. Instead, Walker

emphasizes the labour, isolation, and emotional intricacies of maternal roles, creating a

space for women to be represented on their own terms. In revisiting the history of

painting through this new approach, Walker offers a vital commentary on the continued

invisibility of women’s labour in the home, inviting the viewer to consider how societal

expectations of mothers’ roles still impact their identities today.

P a g e 20 | 34Chapter 3: Visualising Motherhood in the 21st Century –

A Case Study

In the 21st century, the representation of motherhood in art has evolved significantly,

reflecting broader societal changed in how maternal labour, identity and care are

perceived. This chapter explores how the visual culture today engages with the concept

of mother, using the works of South Korean artist Ham Kyungah as a primary case study.

Kyungah’s art, characterised by its intricate embroidery, offers a profound commentary

on the unseen labour and emotional depth associated with maternal roles. By

examining series such as What you see is the unseen, Needing Whisper and Room with

a view, this chapter investigates how Kyungah’s work parallels the hidden, often

undervalues aspects of motherhood. Through a detailed analysis of these series, this

chapter aims to uncover how Kyungah’s art challenges historical narrative about

motherhood and offers a nuanced perspective on the dualities of empowerment and

constraint inherent in maternal labour today. In doing so this chapter not only highlights

the shifting artistic representation of motherhood but also connects Kyungah’s work to

the ongoing cultural discourse surrounding gender, labour and identity, demonstrating

how contemporary art continues to shape and reflect societal perceptions of maternal

roles.

Section 1: Thematic Framework

Historically, representations of motherhood in art have been shaped by societal norms

surrounding women’s roles within the family. As Linda Nochlin (1971) notes, 'The

problem of women in art, then, is not one of the lack of talent or ability, but of the

existence of institutionalized structures that make it difficult, if not impossible, for

women to achieve the same status or recognition as men.'(Ellen C. Caldwell 2018) From

the classical depictions of the Virgin Mary in religious art to the sentimentalized

portrayed of domestic motherhood in the 19th century, maternal figures have often been

idealised as self-sacrificing, nurturing and pure. These representations were typically

framed within patriarchal structures, where maternal labour, though essential, was

invisible and undervalued. Early representations often glossed over the complexity of

motherhood, focusing instead on the idealised image of women as passive subjects,

rarely acknowledging the emotional and physical labour that women’s roles demanded.

Moreover, the emotional labour of motherhood—often invisible in art—has been

relegated to the private sphere, as Sandra Gilbert and Susan Gubar (1979) argue, 'The

emotional labour of motherhood, often invisible in art, has been historically relegated to

the private sphere where it remains undervalued and ignored.' (Kolodny et al.

1980)These depictions reinforced the notion of motherhood as a natural, effortless

state rather than a socially constructed and labour-intensive process.

P a g e 21 | 34Simone de Beauvoir critique how women have been defined by their reproductive roles

in her work, The Second Sex. Beauvoir argues that women’s identity has historically

been tied to their biological functions, including reproduction which links directly to

their maternal roles, which leads to societal subordination. Maternal identity has long

been imposed on women through these social expectations. This theory allows us to

question arts tendency to idealise maternal figures and ignore the complexities of

motherhood tat Beauvoir argues are socially constructed, famously quoting “One is not

born, but rather becomes, a woman” (Darroch 2008)

Nancy Chodorow’s psychoanalysis of feminist theory on motherhood focuses on how

motherhood shapes women’s identities in her work “The Reproduction of Mothering”

Chodorow argues that maternal roles are culturally constructed and perpetuated

through society, echoing Beauvoir’s theory.

Arlie Hochschild’s theory of emotional labour required by worker in the domestic sphere

to meet the expectations of other is often invisible and undervalued. “Emotional labour

is the management of feeling to create a publicly observable facial and bodily

display.”(The Managed Heart: Commercialization of Human Feeling [no date])

Hochschild’s concept provides a lens to understand the unseen emotional work in

motherhood.

These feminist theories inform the interpretation of contemporary works of art,

particularly, Ham Kyungah. By applying these theories to Kyungah’s works, we can see

how artists break down and reveal the hidden labour of motherhood that is often

romanticised in historical portrayals.

Section 2: Case Study 1 – “What You See is the Unseen / Chandeliers

for Five Cities”

As discussed earlier, Ham Kyungah’s work stands as an exploration of hidden labour

and power dynamics. This collection, created in collaboration with traditional

embroiders from North Korean artisans, encapsulates the invisible labour associated

with motherhood. Within the context of the divided Korean Peninsula, the series brings

to light the unseen efforts behind are and life itself, offering a lens through wish to

examine the broader societal narrative, particularly those centred on maternal roles.

P a g e 22 | 34Figure 14 Ham Kyungah, What you see is the unseen / Chandeliers for Five Cities BK 03-06, 2016 - 2017, North Korean

hand embroidery, silk threads on cotton, middle man, tension, anxiety, bribe, censorship, ideology, wooden frame,

approx. 1700hrs / 2persons, 230 c

Visually, the series is characterised by intricately embroidered depictions of

chandeliers, rich in texture which is highlighted from the black backdrop. The

P a g e 23 | 34needlework in the piece draws the viewer inwards, showing delicate patterns and the

play of light on the chandeliers surface. The process of making the piece is almost as

compelling as the final work. Kyungah collaborated with artisans from North Korea who

completed the embroidery. This method of creation links the piece directly to unseen

labour but also introduces the risk and political sub context of the piece. The use of

embroidery, historically a domestic artform, parallels the unseen labour of mothers in

the household.

Figure 15 Figure 15 Ham Kyungah, What you see is the unseen / Chandeliers for Five Cities DSK 01-D-02, 2016 - 2017,

North Korean hand embroidery, silk threads on cotton, middle man, tension, anxiety, bribe, censorship, ideology,

wooden frame, approx. 1000hrs

P a g e 24 | 34Just as the North Korean artisans remain anonymous and unacknowledged, so too does

the emotional and physical work of motherhood go unrecognized in society. The

shimmering chandeliers serve as a metaphor for the hidden work, the chandeliers,

visible and captivating, are a product of the hidden labour of unappreciated workers,

echoing the societal tendency to value outcome over process.

In conclusion, Ham Kyungah’s “What you see is the unseen” is a compelling

embodiment of the hidden aspects of maternal labour. By drawing parallels between

the invisible efforts of the north Korean artisans to the significantly undervalued work of

maternal care, the series contributes to contemporary discussions on the visibility of

maternal work. Themes of invisibility echo through Kyungah’s work setting the stage for

further discussion of her piece “Needling Whisper”

Section 3: Case Study 2 - "Needling Whisper, Needle Country / SMS

Series in Camouflage"

Figure 16 Figure 16 Needling Whisper, Needle Country / SMS Series in Camouflage / Big Smile R01-01-01

P a g e 25 | 34Needling Whisper by Ham Kyungah is an exploration of communication and hidden

narratives. This series features text stitched into canvas where the words are

camouflaged into intricate patterns through embroidery. The piece represents the

difficulty in open communication. The piece, designed by Kyungah was made by North

Korean artisans, in particular a key work “Big Smile” a North Korean motto, represents

the repressive environment which bred the need for such work to be made. The duality

of visibility plays a crucial role in uncovering the true meaning behind the piece, the

viewer must engage in deeper societal issues which lay the foundation for “Needling

Whisper”

The subtlety in the messaging mirrors the unspoken emotional labour behind

motherhood. Just as the words on the canvas are concealed, so is the emotional work

experienced by some mothers, which is often left unseen yet essential to the

functioning of society. This emotional labour requires patience, skill and resilience yet

remains undervalues and unrecognized, mirroring the North Korean artisans lack of

acknowledgement in a society where their work is crucial. Kyungah’s work also explores

the theme of censorship, which parallels the pressures of mothers to conform to

idealised roles. The act of concealing messages in the canvas echoes the way mothers

often silence their own desires and voices to fit into the societal expectations placed

upon them. In many cultures women are often forced into a romanticised perception

societally, as the expression of maternal dissatisfaction is dismissed, often leading to

an idealised narrative being pushed onto mothers. The camouflage in this series acts as

a metaphor for this imposed invisibility. Societal censorship of maternal expression

reinforces the undervaluation of their emotional and physical labour, much like the

artisans behind the work in the series remaining unseen.

“Needling Whisper” conveys the complexities of hidden communication, drawing

parallels of the unspoken emotional and physical work of motherhood, to the intricately

embroidered labour of unseen North Korean artisans. The series invited the viewer to

reconsider the visibility of emotional labour and the ways in which societal pressures

dictate maternal expression. Building on the themes of hidden labour, “Room with a

View” delves into the complexities of confinement.

Section 5: Synthesis and Connection to Broader Themes

The case studies discussed, Needling Whisper and What You See is the Unseen” offer

insights into the complex realities of motherhood in contemporary visual culture.

Several common themes emerge throughout the pieces, most notably the unseen

nature of maternal labour which is visualised through the process to create What You

See is the Unseen. The emotional depth embedded in caregiving is echoed in the

embroidery of Needling Whisper as the expression of such emotions is typically kept in

the privacy of the domestic sphere. These works communicate the nuanced often

undervalued roles that mothers play in society.

P a g e 26 | 34The materiality, a key theme in chapter 1, is central to both case studies. The tactile

approach to creating the pieces visually translates to the emotional and invisible labour

many mothers endure. The physicality of the stitches becomes a metaphor for the

often-hidden work performed in the privacy of the home. Similarly, the fragility of the

chandeliers embodies the preciousness of the maternal role, illustrating how

motherhood is a delicate balance, easily disrupted by external societal pressures.

As we consider the broader cultural implications these works contribute significantly to

the evolving perception of motherhood in the 21st century. Through their focus on every

day, domestic materials to the emotional weight carried by many mothers, these works

challenge societal expectations. Society often expects mothers to embody selflessness

and nurturing while any deviation from this can be scrutinized. The fragility of such

expectations can be symbolised by the delicate chandeliers within What You See is the

Unseen. Additionally, both case studies challenge the expectation of maternal labour

remaining invisible within the home, as the embroidery performed by anonymous

artisans symbolises how society often undervalues the emotional and physical work

many mothers do. The audience is invited to reflect on how modern visual culture

shapes our understanding of gender roles, maternal identity and the value of caregiving

in society. Needling Whisper and What You See is the Unseen provide a valuable

commentary on the intersection of motherhood, labour and identity in the 21st century.

Looking forward, the implications of these works suggest that contemporary visual

culture plays a crucial role in redefining maternal representations in art. The pieces

discussed not only challenge historical narratives that have often romanticised the

struggles of motherhood but also confront the modern expectations of the “perfect”

mother. Exposing the emotional depth beneath the surface, Kyungah reconsiders the

value and significance of anonymity, both culturally and societally.

P a g e 27 | 34Conclusion

In Visualizing Motherhood, this thesis has explored the complex realities of maternal

labour and identity through the lens of contemporary visual culture. By investigating the

works of various artists, this thesis has highlighted how art can challenge the invisibility

of motherhood and reveal the emotional weight of caregiving. The intersection of

materiality, emotional labour, and societal expectations has emerged as a recurring

theme throughout the analysis. Collectively, the artists discussed in this thesis—Sheela

Gowda, Caroline Walker, Ham Kyungah, and Mary Kelly—challenge the romanticized

portrayals of motherhood, offering a more nuanced and complex understanding of the

daily labour that mothers engage in.

Though not every work directly addresses maternal care, each artist’s exploration of

broader societal expectations mirrors the pressures and sentiments often imposed on

mothers. The use of materiality in the works of these artists, whether through everyday

objects or intricate processes, amplifies the emotional labour and hidden aspects of

motherhood. By examining the contributions of Gowda, Walker, Kyungah, and Kelly, this

thesis has shown how contemporary art serves as a critical tool for reevaluating the

perception of motherhood. These artists reshaping our understanding of what it means

to visualize motherhood today. Their work invites us to reconsider, and challenge

societal norms, offering a deeper insight into the emotional, physical, and often

invisible work that defines the maternal experience.

P a g e 28 | 34List of Illustrations

Figure 1 Faith Ringgold, Woman on a Bridge #1 of 5: Tar Beach, 1988. Acrylic paint, canvas, printed fabric,

ink, and thread, 74 5/8 x 68 1/2 inches, Solomen R. Guggenheim Museum, New York ___________________

5

Figure 2 Mona Hatoum, Great Divide, Sculpture, 2002, White Cube Hoxton Square _____________________

6

Figure 3 Sheela Gowda, And Tell Him of My Pain, 2002–2007. Courtesy the artist. _______________________

7

Figure 4 Sheela Gowda, Behold, 2009, human hair, steel. Installation view, Van Abbemuseum, Eindhoven,

the Netherlands, 2013. Photo: Peter Cox. ____________________________________________________________

7

Figure 5Figure 5 Ham Kyungah, what you see is the unseen / Chandeliers for Five Cities SR 01-02, 2015,

North Korean hand embroidery, silk threads on cotton, middle man, tension, anxiety, bribe, censorship,

ideology, wooden frame, approx. 1600hrs / 2persons, 180 ____________________________________________

8

Figure 6 Mother and Child (The Oval Mirror) Mary Cassatt, American, ca. 1899, The Met Fifth Avenue,

Gallery 774 ______________________________________________________________________________________

Figure 7 The Family of Charles IV, 1800 by Francisco Goya __________________________________________

Figure 8 Mary Kelly, Post-Partum Document, 1973-79, perspex units, white card, sugar paper, crayon, 1 of

the 13 units, 35.5 x 28 cm each ___________________________________________________________________

10

11

13

Figure 9 Post-Partum Document. Documentation III: Analysed Markings And Diary Perspective Schema

(Experimentum Mentis III: Weaning from the Dyad) _________________________________________________

14

Figure 10 Mary Kelly, *Post-Partum Document: Introduction*, 1973. Mixed media: Perspex units, white

card, wool vests, pencil, ink. Dimensions: 10 × 8 in (25.4 × 20.3 cm). Exhibited at Hammer Museum, Los

Angeles. ________________________________________________________________________________________

15

Figure 11 Maman, Louise Bourgeois, Bronze Marble and Steel, 29 ft 4 3/8 in x 1 7/8 in x 38 ft 5/8 in,

Guggenheim Bilbao museoa, 1999 ________________________________________________________________

16

Figure 12 Caroline Walker, Night Feed, 2022, Oil on board, 36 x 30 cm _______________________________

Figure 13‘Bathroom Sink Cleaning, Mid-Morning, March’, from 2019 © Caroline Walker _______________

18

19

Figure 14 Ham Kyungah, What you see is the unseen / Chandeliers for Five Cities BK 03-06, 2016 - 2017,

North Korean hand embroidery, silk threads on cotton, middle man, tension, anxiety, bribe, censorship,

ideology, wooden frame, approx. 1700hrs / 2persons, 230 c _________________________________________

23

Figure 15 Ham Kyungah, What you see is the unseen / Chandeliers for Five Cities DSK 01-D-02, 2016 -

2017, North Korean hand embroidery, silk threads on cotton, middle man, tension, anxiety, bribe,

censorship, ideology, wooden frame, approx. 1000hrs / 1person, 92 _______

Error! Bookmark not defined.

Figure 16 Needling Whisper, Needle Country / SMS Series in Camouflage / Big Smile R01-01-01 Silk

embroidery mounted on a wooden frame 2015, by Ham Kyungah (artist) and anonymous North Korean

embroiderers

Error! Bookmark not defined.

__________________________________________________________

P a g e 29 | 34References

Caroline Walker: The Female Gaze – the thread. [no date]. Available at:

https://blog.fabrics-store.com/2019/10/27/caroline-walker-the-female-

gaze/?utm_source=chatgpt.com [Accessed: 9 January 2025].

Darroch, F. 2008. The Second Sex. By Simone de Beauvoir. Literature and Theology

22(3), pp. 368–371. doi: 10.1093/LITTHE/FRN030.

Ellen C. Caldwell. 2018. Linda Nochlin on “Why Have There Been No Great Women

Artists” - JSTOR Daily. Available at: https://daily.jstor.org/linda-nochlin-on-why-have-

there-been-no-great-women-artists/ [Accessed: 30 October 2024].

Female Iconoclasts: Louise Bourgeois - Artland Magazine. [no date]. Available at:

https://magazine.artland.com/female-iconoclasts-louise-

bourgeois/?utm_source=chatgpt.com [Accessed: 9 January 2025].

Kolodny, A., Gilbert, S.M. and Gubar, S. 1980. The Madwoman in the Attic: The Woman

Writer and the Nineteenth-Century Literary Imagination. American Literature 52(1), p.

128. doi: 10.2307/2925194.

Kyungah Ham | Ocula. [no date]. Available at:

https://ocula.com/magazine/conversations/kyungah-ham/ [Accessed: 3 January 2025].

Mary Kelley. [no date]. post partum document. Univerist of california press. Available at:

https://books.google.ie/books?hl=en&lr=&id=aRYD3DCrE9cC&oi=fnd&pg=PR12&dq=M

ary+Kelleys+Post+Partum+Document&ots=Y4dHNjJliw&sig=huLkW9Bk_QIj59w3oVc_Q

Yl5wao&redir_esc=y#v=onepage&q=Mary%20Kelleys%20Post%20Partum%20Docume

nt&f=false [Accessed: 7 January 2025].

Mathews, P. and Parker, R. 1991. The Subversive Stitch: Embroidery and the Making of

the Feminine. Woman’s Art Journal 12(1), p. 45. doi: 10.2307/1358191.

Meskimmon, M. 2019. Art Matters. A Companion to Feminist Art, pp. 351–367. Available

at: https://onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/full/10.1002/9781118929179.ch20 [Accessed: 1

January 2025].

Rereading Of Woman Born: Motherhood as Experience and Institution - Ploughshares.

[no date]. Available at: https://pshares.org/blog/rereading-of-woman-born-

motherhood-as-experience-and-institution/?utm_source=chatgpt.com [Accessed: 4

January 2025].

Sabo, S. 2019. Conflict Zones: Labor and Cultural Exchange in the Production of

Contemporary Art Textile Works. Journal of Textile Design Research and Practice 7(1),

pp. 104–123. Available at:

P a g e 30 | 34https://www.tandfonline.com/doi/abs/10.1080/20511787.2019.1592358 [Accessed: 1

January 2025].

The Managed Heart : Commercialization of Human Feeling. [no date]. Available at:

https://eds.p.ebscohost.com/eds/ebookviewer/ebook/bmxlYmtfXzQ1MDEyM19fQU41?

sid=63fa9261-4d77-4dad-9d72-70b39a887062@redis&vid=0&format=EB&rid=2

[Accessed: 11 January 2025].

Who is Sheela Gowda? | Tate. [no date]. Available at:

https://www.tate.org.uk/art/artists/sheela-gowda-18148/who-is-sheela-gowda

[Accessed: 3 January 2025].

P a g e 31 | 34Bibliography

The Metropolitan Museum of Art, n.d. Mother and Child (The Oval Mirror). [online]

Available at: https://www.metmuseum.org/art/collection/search/10401 [Accessed 12

January 2025].

Francisco Goya, 1800. The Family of Charles IV. [online] Available at:

https://www.franciscogoya.com/the-family-of-charles-iv.jsp [Accessed 12 January

2025].

Guggenheim Museum, n.d. Woman on a Bridge #1 of 5: Tar Beach. [online] Available at:

https://www.guggenheim.org/artwork/3719 [Accessed 3 January 2025].

Ocula Magazine, 2015. Kyungah Ham: Conversations. [online] Available at:

https://ocula.com/magazine/conversations/kyungah-ham/ [Accessed 3 January 2025].

Artforum, 2003. Material Concern: The Art of Sheela Gowda. [online] Available at:

https://www.artforum.com/features/material-concern-the-art-of-sheela-gowda-

216448/ [Accessed 3 January 2025].

e-flux, 2015. Sheela Gowda. [online] Available at: https://www.e-

flux.com/announcements/32549/sheela-gowda/ [Accessed 3 January 2025].

Tate, n.d. Who is Sheela Gowda?. [online] Available at:

https://www.tate.org.uk/art/artists/sheela-gowda-18148/who-is-sheela-gowda

[Accessed 3 January 2025].

White Cube, 2002. Grater Divide. [online] Available at:

https://www.whitecube.com/gallery-exhibitions/grater-divide [Accessed 3 January

2025].

JSTOR, 1999. [Untitled]. [online] Available at:

https://www.jstor.org/stable/1181139?seq=1 [Accessed 3 January 2025].

Pace Gallery, 2018. Ham Kyungah. [online] Available at:

https://www.pacegallery.com/exhibitions/ham-kyungah/ [Accessed 3 January 2025].

Asia Society, n.d. Kyungah Ham. [online] Available at:

https://asiasociety.org/triennial/artist/kyungah-ham [Accessed 3 January 2025].

Kukje Gallery, n.d. Kyungah Ham. [online] Available at:

https://www.kukjegallery.com/artists/view?seq=336 [Accessed 3 January 2025].

Millington, Ruth, n.d. Caroline Walker: Women’s Work. [online] Available at:

https://ruthmillington.co.uk/caroline-walker-womens-work/ [Accessed 9 January 2025].

P a g e 32 | 34Fabrics Store, n.d. Caroline Walker: The Female Gaze. [online] Available at:

https://blog.fabrics-store.com/2019/10/27/caroline-walker-the-female-gaze/ [Accessed

9 January 2025].

Moloney, Kate, n.d. Analysis of Louise Bourgeois Sculpture Series Maman. Medium.

[online] Available at: https://medium.com/@katemoloney42/analysis-of-louise-

bourgeois-sculpture-series-maman-814918e8f5e8 [Accessed 9 January 2025].

Artland Magazine, n.d. Female Iconoclasts: Louise Bourgeois. [online] Available at:

https://magazine.artland.com/female-iconoclasts-louise-bourgeois/ [Accessed 9

January 2025].

Kavanaugh, Patrick, n.d. Rereading The Woman Born: Motherhood as Experience and

Institution. Ploughshares Blog. [online] Available at: https://pshares.org/blog/rereading-

of-woman-born-motherhood-as-experience-and-institution/ [Accessed 9 January

2025].

Smarthistory, n.d. Mary Kelly’s Post-Partum Document. [online] Available at:

https://smarthistory.org/mary-kelly-post-partum-document/ [Accessed 9 January

2025].

Kelly, Mary, n.d. Post-Partum Document. Google Books. [online] Available at:

https://books.google.ie/books?hl=en&lr=&id=aRYD3DCrE9cC&oi=fnd&pg=PR12&dq=M

ary+Kelleys+Post+Partum+Document&ots=Y4dHNjJliw&sig=huLkW9Bk_QIj59w3oVc_Q

Yl5wao&redir_esc=y [Accessed 9 January 2025].

Louise Bourgeois, n.d. Louise Bourgeois. Google Books. [online] Available at:

https://books.google.ie/books?hl=en&lr=&id=mK5xmLXez2IC&oi=fnd&pg=PP15&dq=lo

uise+bourgeois&ots=C5wckcIj2i&sig=okKwknewIwQ9mVeOMVCl45Gfhbw&redir_esc=y

[Accessed 9 January 2025].

Louise Bourgeois: The Spider, The Mistress and The Tangerine, n.d. Google Books.

[online] Available at:

https://books.google.ie/books?hl=en&lr=&id=3jZUEAAAQBAJ&oi=fnd&pg=PT12&dq=ab

out+louise+bourgeois&ots=5shK-

X3ua7&sig=dZ3Mrl9H2c7OwBoOHTyh5sX8BBg&redir_esc=y [Accessed 9 January

2025].

Guggenheim Museum, n.d. Maman. [online] Available at:

https://www.guggenheim.org/artwork/10856 [Accessed 9 January 2025].

Financial Times, n.d. Caroline Walker: Artist Interview. [online] Available at:

https://www.ft.com/content/04dd2331-529d-4633-8396-7b6075d2d0fc [Accessed 9

January 2025].

P a g e 33 | 34Stephen Friedman Gallery, n.d. Caroline Walker: Works. [online] Available at:

https://www.stephenfriedman.com/artists/81-caroline-walker/works/19383/ [Accessed

9 January 2025].

P a g e 34 | 34


Comments