Published to coincide with the acclaimed Hayward Gallery touring exhibition of the same name, Acts of Creation is an engaging, thought-provoking and richly illustrated must-read on the evolving artistic discourse on motherhood.
Hettie Judah’s enthralling and important book expands a male-centred art history to include mothers as subjects and symbols, makers and myths
Jennifer Higgie
One of the most electrifying and important books I have ever read. Hettie Judah takes us on a rich, comprehensive, generative, beautifully written journey through the works of art that have made the invisibility of real motherhood and maternal subjectivity visible. Every sentence and work crackles and sparks. I didn't want it to end. Stunning, urgent and extremely inspiring. We all need this book
Lucy Jones, author of 'Matrescence'
An important and eye-opening book grounded in Judah's extensive experience and research. I knew some artists in this book already, but didn't know many others, and this is a book I will keep close and refer to time and time again. As a writer and as a mother, this is personal too. It is time motherhood comes out of the margins and we see, hear and talk about the extensive invisible labour, joy, pain of mothering. This book is a much-needed addition to the canon
Dr Pragya Agarwal
A fantastic look at how motherhood has been depicted throughout art history from ancient times to contemporary artists
FAD Magazine
Hardback
Publish date: 4th July 2024
Published to coincide with the acclaimed Hayward Gallery touring exhibition of the same name, Acts of Creation is an engaging, thought-provoking and richly illustrated must-read on the evolving artistic discourse on motherhood.
Hettie Judah’s enthralling and important book expands a male-centred art history to include mothers as subjects and symbols, makers and myths
Jennifer Higgie
One of the most electrifying and important books I have ever read. Hettie Judah takes us on a rich, comprehensive, generative, beautifully written journey through the works of art that have made the invisibility of real motherhood and maternal subjectivity visible. Every sentence and work crackles and sparks. I didn't want it to end. Stunning, urgent and extremely inspiring. We all need this book
Lucy Jones, author of 'Matrescence'
An important and eye-opening book grounded in Judah's extensive experience and research. I knew some artists in this book already, but didn't know many others, and this is a book I will keep close and refer to time and time again. As a writer and as a mother, this is personal too. It is time motherhood comes out of the margins and we see, hear and talk about the extensive invisible labour, joy, pain of mothering. This book is a much-needed addition to the canon
Dr Pragya Agarwal
A fantastic look at how motherhood has been depicted throughout art history from ancient times to contemporary artists
FAD Magazine
Hardback
Publish date: 4th July 2024
