Parenthood: The Art of Caring
- 23 hours ago
- 2 min read
This week I and a large painting enjoyed a journey to Crystal Palace where my artwork '1 in 4' will join others selected by Tom Cox to feature in his eponymously named gallery's next exhibition.
As Tom writes, Parenthood: The Art of Caring is ‘a group exhibition exploring how parenthood shapes artistic practice, identity, and everyday life. Bringing together artists whose work engages with parenthood through lived experience and reflection, this exhibition explores the many dimensions of becoming and being a parent.'
“This exhibition considers the evolving realities of caregiving, the ways children enter and influence creative practice, and the ongoing negotiation between nurturing our young ones and holding space for oneself. Both deeply personal and profoundly universal, parenthood is shaped by moments of uncertainty and change alongside immense joy, love, and connection.”- Tom Cox, Gallery Director, Artist and Dad
Duration: Thursday 3 September - Sunday 20 September (see opening hours at tomcoxstudio.com)
Location: Tom Cox Gallery, 38 Church Road, London, SE19 2ET
Featured Artists: Mark Charlton, Tom Cox, Florence & Co, Amy Gardner, Laxmi Hussain, Heun Jung Kim, Emily Jolley, Love Jordan, Ben Newman, Anna Pieniazek, Ella Starling, Anna Sudbina, Joseph Thomas.
If you're not already familiar with the artists Tom has chosen, look them up! I'm delighted that my work will feature alongside that of this stellar grouping, and really looking forward to seeing the show when it opens on the 3rd of September.
Read more about the exhibition and sign up to the opening event here
About my painting '1 in 4':
Experiencing loss and absence alongside vitality and joy are all part of our journeys into and during parenthood. 1 in 4 was completed shortly after a miscarriage. According to the World Health Organisation, around 1 in 4 pregnancies end in miscarriage, yet it’s not widely talked about.
As an abstract expressionist painting, 1 in 4 is a vibrant exploration of the materials and physical act of painting – a painting about painting – and open to individual interpretation, as much as it was inspired by personal experiences and reflections.
I’m not sure I would have completed this painting if I hadn’t been able to risk destroying it – the dark period I was going through allowed me to take risks and find a new direction in my work.
