Sons & Daughters embodies two artists' visual reflections exploring the transformative journey of motherhood.
Artist Trish Tait will exhibit Sons alongside Daughters by artist Meli Axford.
Trish Tait's paintings feature detailed portraiture and simple compositions, surrounded by negative space. She draws inspiration from her daily life, which was enriched in 2020 when her sons returned home during the uncertainty of lockdown. Sons explores this time; her observations of her boys as they adjust to their 'new normal', and their inevitable longing to return to the old.
"I was inspired to preserve some of these moments, for me a kind of painted record of the inspirational adult the child had become, and perhaps a celebration of a mother's sense of accomplishment. I would like to invite the audience to pause, ponder and reflect in their own way," Tait said.
Meli Axford's art reimagines the Australian landscape with her family in it. Like Tait, Axford explores a deeply personal maternal relationship, visualising her unconditional love and hopes for her young adult children. Daughters showcases paintings from Axford's pool series which radiates a deliberate sense of calm and optimism that we are ready for whatever happens.
"Motherhood is a labour of love. I wanted to paint my children to share the indescribable intensity of my love, to capture the perfection that love had created and nurtured. I've always believed that 'love will conquer all' and 'all you need is love' - everything was, is and will be fixed with love," Axford said.
"We are thrilled to present these two Northern Rivers artists as part of the Community Access Exhibitions Program at Gallery DownTown. Tait and Axford share a visual language, communicating a strong connection through life experience that I'm sure audiences will really engage with," Tweed Regional Gallery Director Susi Muddiman OAM said.
Sons & Daughters continues until Sunday 13 June 2021.
Meet the Artists
On Saturday 22 May, 11am-12pm, Trish Tait and Meli Axford will present a free Meet the Artists talk at the Gallery DownTown, sharing an insight into their individual artistic practices and the exhibition Sons & Daughters.
Booking is essential by visiting: https://meet-the-artists-tait-axford.eventbrite.com.au
Gallery DownTown is an annexe of the Tweed Regional Gallery located in the creative hub of M|Arts Precinct, in the heart of Murwillumbah - upstairs at 1 Brisbane Street.
