Hyperallergic asked 15 artists to share the best advice they received from their mother or a maternal figure, in honor of Mother's Day. The article features reflections from artists including Pat Oleszko, Maddy Inez, Nathaniel Mary Quinn, and Shahzia Sikander, who recount maternal wisdom ranging from encouragement to pursue art to life lessons about empathy and resilience. Each anecdote is accompanied by images of the artists' works or personal photos.
The piece matters because it highlights the often-unseen influence of maternal figures on the creative development and careers of visual artists. By centering these personal stories, the article underscores how familial support and inherited wisdom shape artistic practice, offering a counterpoint to the myth of the solitary genius. It also provides a timely, human-interest angle on the art world during the Mother's Day holiday.