Local artists lay bare motherhood in powerful exhibition

THE messy and chaotic magic of motherhood is the focus of a new creative exhibition in Torquay that brings together the works of 20 emerging and established artists from across the Surf Coast.

Mum’s the Word will be at the Torquay Taphouse in Baines Crescent until June 2, and showcases a diversity of works, spanning a variety of different disciplines, each reflecting the artist’s thoughts, feelings and experiences with motherhood.

Exhibition curator and Torquay-based abstract painter Erin Reinboth said motivation for the showcase had come from the Surf Coast’s creative community itself, with many sharing what the artist describes as “the same season of life”.

“We’re really trying to pursue our art careers and our practice, but we’re in the thick of it with little kids and really juggling all these things.

“I’m always just in awe of how incredible women are, whether you’re longing to be a mum or you’re in the middle of it or you’re an empty nester. I just think it’s such an incredible role and how we continue our careers amongst that just fascinates me.

“This exhibition is a quiet nod to the unspoken strength, wisdom and unseen labour that comes with it all.”

Ms Reinboth said the putting Mum’s the Word together had felt both liberating and empowering, and it had been an honour to work with other female artists to showcase the varying shapes of motherhood.

“I feel like there’s a real shift in womanhood in general, [we’re] speaking up a bit more and not sugar-coating everything and falling into line.

“We’re in a really exciting stage of being a woman and a mum where we are empowered, and exhibitions like this mean a lot of me and the community.”

She said the exhibition, which launched last weekend, was already opening doors for connection and conversation, with some pieces, like the works contributed by documentary-style photographer Lauren Marshall, provoking strong emotions in visitors.

“Come in and have a drink and just be immersed in the amazing work of our local artists and keep talking about motherhood and being open about it,” Ms Reinboth said.

“We’re all so lucky and it feels like such a privilege to be able to showcase it all.”

For more information, head to linktr.ee/mumsthewordgroupshow