MOT-TER started from an autobiographical position, using my doubts and fears, my perceived obligations and the relationship with my mother as a way to explore concepts of feminism, of identity, of expression.

The images are repeated gestures from my childhood, remembered and performed in a way that required both vulnerability and confidence - a total mix of two very opposing emotions.

Asking your mother to pose for you naked, then standing next to her in the same state of undress - is an experience!

Our inherent beliefs of the female body are questioned, we both feel a little uncomfortable but equally intrigued, liberated even - it is this similarity that I’m on in my practice as artist.

Showing up for ourselves, maintaining jobs families, homes, good health and all the other things that life includes - requires exposure.  It requires a little discomfort.

It is not easy. We all know that, but we can make it easier on ourselves by starting small.

I test myself. Explore a small idea first, tentatively stepping towards that fear and the awkwardness, the voices of ‘her’ nibbling my ear that I can’t do it, I’m too old, its too late, its too hard etc etc. You know who I mean, we all have an the inner critic who loves popping up when we least need it.

They can be further silenced by sharing your thoughts, your experiences and speaking to others. Community is where I have found true strength - it is non negotiable as a creative, as far as I am concerned. Everything we know about being ‘creative’ comes from simply being human, so we need them around us, we need others.

This making, this courage, the ups and the downs; they all come from a place of total honesty and authenticity. They allow us to be human, to feel the experiences we have and to live even if momentarily, in a space of freedom and individuality; as children again just throwing ourselves around madly to a self made beat without a care in the world about who is watching.

Keeping this momentum alive as an artist and as a community is good for everyone.  For the children learning, for the cities full of grey spaces, for the war torn countries and for those quiet voices who are carving out their own place in the world against a million odds stacked against them. Creativity is curiosity. It is problem solving. It is peace. It is love and it is wonderful and you can do it - however and wherever you want.

If we continue to turn up for our communities, for others - we turn up for ourselves. We can welcome the uncertainty with a little more strength each time, allowing us to grow. To plant the seeds in the concentre and take a breath between the ever demanding to do lists.

If there is one thing I know will never fail me, it is finding a tribe.  It’s good for me and its good for them. And it’s good for you. Period.