"Mother/Memory" Exhibit

          Throughout the world, no two cultures are similar. Each has their own set of values, customs, and conditions. Even though they all vary in their own special way, one “aspect” remains the same- motherhood. Every mother has a job to nurture, comfort, teach, and protect their children. The art exhibit“Mother/Memory,” located in Hampden Gallery in the Southwest living area, embodies all of the qualities of what ‘mother’ means. Three unique women, from all over the world, contributed to this exhibit: Iigim Veryeri-Alaca, Ann Coddington Rast and Tanja Softic. The three artists that participated in this project were able to discover a common meaning of ‘mother’ through their artwork. “It was wonderful to engage with the two highly creative, sensitive and intelligent women and come up with something new for all of us,” Tanja Softic explained. Ann Coddington found some of her inspiration for the project through her fellow artist, Iigim Veryeri-Alaca.. “Ilgim was really the driving force behind getting the project off the ground. She got the ball rolling, then asked if I wanted to participate. After that, we exchanged images via email and started finding common ground thematically.” Ann stated.  The three artists found the collaboration compelling, as they shared ideas of motherhood through their artwork.

           Both Coddington and Softic found their passion for art very early in life; “I have always made things. When I was really young, it was a form of play. This is an approach that I would like to uphold in my studio practice to this day. When I was little, I never recognized or made any value distinction between art materials. I had a very multimedia
approach to art making. I could use sticks, fabric, and cardboard boxes, as readily as ‘real’ art materials,” says Coddington. Tanja Softic was just as creative. “I was always passionate about making things, about working with my hands (whether cooking or making art or repairing things). Very early in my life, art became my primary way of engaging with the world, thinking about it and speaking to it.”  These early conversations with art provided inspiration for the exhibit.

          There was no clear message that Softic wanted to convey through her work in this exhibit. “Rather than tying to convey a specific message, I am hoping for the ‘pebble in the still lake’ effect.  In my opinion, my intent is much less important than the intellectual, psychological or emotional ‘conversation’ between the viewer and the work.  That exchange is what I am hoping for.” For Coddington, it was more of a personal project. “I thought about my experiences as a mother and as a daughter. Through my work, I tried to metaphorically speak of aspects of motherhood such as nurturing, caring, tending, and protecting.”  These successful artists have inspired many people- aspiring artists, mothers, and spectators. Through their exhibit they were able to pay tribute to millions of women around the world. They were able to connect three very different cultures and connect them with a common thread. For more information on this exhibit, please visit the website: http://www.umass.edu/fac/calendar/hampden/events/MotherMemory.html

By Aviana Dickerson

4/08/2009