Mother: Stories from the NGV Collection

The depiction of mother and child is one of the oldest and most enduring themes in art history. From ancient cave paintings and Egyptian tombs to Renaissance frescoes and contemporary depictions, artists have long engaged with the complex experiences of motherhood. 

Traversing geographies, cultures and mediums, the exhibition Mother presents diverse stories drawn from across the NGV Collection. The exhibition features works by contemporary and historical Australian and First Nations artists, alongside international art. It explores both universal and culturally specific experiences of motherhood – from private transformation and societal expectation to intergenerational trauma and loss, mythology and religious iconography, storytelling and language and the deep connection between motherhood, nature and Country.