Ellie’s exhibition is more than just life drawings—it’s a visceral dive into those raw, fleeting moments with mothers that often go unseen.
I couldn’t help but feel an immediate connection with these women. Their expressions seemed to leap from the paper, reaching into my chest and squeezing tight enough to leave me familiarly uncomfortable. I felt it all: the tightness in my throat, that gut-wrenching sickness, the kind that hits you when emotions go rogue.
Lost, deflated, distracted, confused and raging. These are some of the words Ellie dares to highlight in her work, even though society usually tells mothers to keep those feelings quiet. You know the drill: we’re supposed to embrace the glow of motherhood, not the chaos. But, in reality? Motherhood is a battleground. It’s not just hard; it’s a relentless, full-throttle, life-altering ride, with the steepest learning curve you’ll ever face. And no one ever hands you a seatbelt.
I’ve been a mother for so long, I hardly remember the ‘me’ that existed before she was just a girl. I became a mum at 16. There was no gap between figuring out who I was as a young woman and becoming someone’s mum—I did both with my daughter’s tiny hand in mine. Looking at Ellie’s portraits, I see my own journey so clearly. The births of my daughter and son? Those weren’t just the start of their lives; they were a death and rebirth for me too.
In their eyes, I see the same new world I had to face—the sheer madness, the overwhelming love, and the bravery it takes to show up every day. And that’s what makes these drawings so special. It’s a woman showcasing women in all our messy, beautiful, courageous glory. I’m so glad Ellie found her way to express this and chose to share it with the world.
Whether you’re a mother or not, you need to see this exhibition. It’s not just about motherhood. It’s about womanhood—raw, real and unfiltered.
(M)OTHER Exhibition:
Leeds Drawing Club
Unit C3 Flexspace
Burley Hill Trading Estate
LS4 2PU
Photographs provided by Chapter 81.
