November 5, 2024

Ellie Andrews’ ‘(M)OTHER’ Captivates Audiences

Challenging Perceptions of Motherhood Through Art and Open Dialogue

Ellie Andrews’ powerful exhibition (M)OTHER came to a close after an incredibly successful run, captivating audiences with its powerful messages towards the realities of motherhood. Hosted at Leeds Drawing Club from the 17th October – 2nd November 2024, Ellie’s large scale charcoal portraits and accompanying working drawings stirred the emotions of every visitor with the deeply moving and evocative messages behind the work.

Shedding light on the often ignored experiences of motherhood, (M)OTHER perfectly captured the challenges, identities, and emotional journeys mothers have to face. Dedicated to all mothers, the exhibition highlighted the importance of open and honest conversation.

“One of the messages behind the exhibition was to encourage us all to reflect on how our society presents motherhood, in particular to the next generation of women”

Ellie Andrews

The portraits expertly demonstrated the power of creative expression in mental health, and the women captured in the works showcase mothers in their courageous glory.

The thought-provoking exhibition and accompanying events deeply resonated with visitors, and provided a platform for women to share their own emotional journeys with motherhood. Through her art, Ellie also aimed to show how powerful it can be for women to uplift other women, and this exhibition wholly captured this.

Credit: Jo Ritchie

As part of the exhibition, (M)OTHER also hosted three events to further explore the hidden realities behind motherhood. Lucy Jones, journalist and critically acclaimed author of ‘Matrescence’ – a personal story recounting the neglected side of motherhood – performed a reading from this book followed by a powerfully honest Q&A session with the audience.

“Ellie’s works of art put mothers centre stage; the mother can so often be eclipsed when we think about our world.”

Lucy Jones, author of 'Matrescence'

Vic Wright-Jones and Melanie Hadida hosted Body Image and Motherhood; an open and heartwarming discussion on the changes in a mother’s identity following motherhood, followed by an informative and interactive tea blend workshop curated to balance hormones.

Finally, Ellie held a Portraits Workshop to complete the memorable exhibition. Explaining the techniques she used to create each of the exhibition works and showing the attendees how to apply them in a setting with a live portrait model.

Raw and unfiltered, (M)OTHER was applauded for its strength and vulnerability, sensitively capturing moments between artist & sitter. All five women depicted in the portraits, including Leeds creative and hospitality powerhouses Holly Kragiopoulos, Director of North Star Roast and Laura Wellington, Director of Testbed, Duke Makes & In Good Company, have all found themselves navigating their changing worlds since becoming mothers.

“I think it is vitally important for these types of exhibitions to be here and for mothers to create and be the centre of work. As a society, we don’t take mothering for what it is. To have the opportunity to be a part of this exhibition and for people to read about mothers’ experiences is very important.”

Laura Wellington, Director of Testbed, Duke Makes & In Good Company