Hull-based nail tech Lucy Allman, who never considered herself an artist, was recruited by curator Lucy Brooke to participate in an art exhibition titled "Mother," organized by The Feminine Urge Collective. Allman created a series of unique nail art pieces using mixed media, including her children's hair and 3D clay, exploring themes of childhood, teenage years, and motherhood. The exhibition runs from 1-17 May 2026 at a pop-up space on Pier Street in Hull.
This exhibition matters because it challenges traditional boundaries between craft and fine art, validating nail art as a legitimate visual art form. By including a nail tech's work in a curated group show focused on an under-explored theme, the project elevates the status of nail technicians and encourages them to see themselves as artists. It also amplifies the voices of female, non-binary, working-class, disabled, and Northern artists, addressing systemic gaps in art-world representation.