Baby Highlights in Contemporary Art

by Art Fag City on January 21, 2009 · 25 comments Events


Catherine Opie, Self-Portrait /Nursing 2004, chromogenic print, 40 x 32″ (101.6 x 81.3 cm), edition of 8.  Suggestion via: Kevin Regan

I probably should have chosen Octopi as a subject infrequently depicted in art; reader comments suggest there are far more babies in contemporary art than I had thought.   I’m posting a few highlights below and welcome additional contributions. Suggestions won’t be listed if they include empty baby carriages, commercial photography, or are simply not accomplished enough to post.  Update: I meant to link to this article on the subject as well: Sharon Butler’s Neo-Maternalism: Contemporary Artists’ Approach to Motherhood


Ron Mueck, Head of A Baby. Suggestion via: Unutterable.org


Ron Mueck, Baby, Via: Unutterable.org


Loretta Lux, Spring, 2001, Ilfochrome Print, Image via: Yossi Milo Gallery Suggestion via: Jesse Patrick Martin.


Francesca Fuchs, Installation shot, 2007 Left: Blue Blanket, 2006, Right: Linen Closet, 2006. Suggestion via: Virginia


Charles Ray. (American, born 1953). Family Romance. 1993. Painted fiberglass and synthetic hair, 53″ x 7′ 1″ x 11″ (134.6 x 215.9 x 27.9 cm). Gift of The Norton Family Foundation. © 2009 Charles Ray, Suggestion via: Kevin Regan


Michael Elmgreen & Ingar Dragset Suggestion via: Greg.org

Greg sez: “Elmgreen & Dragset leave babies in the backseat of cars at in front of fake ATM's”  Full post here.


Guy Ben-ner, House Hold (still), 2001. Suggestion via: Greg.org

Greg sez: “They're a bit older now, but I like the way Guy Ben Ner has been working his into his videos; it's an interesting comment on the work vs family, home vs studio dynamic that's usually considered to be mom thing.”


Barnaby Whitfield, Suggestion via Anaba


Marlene Dumas, For Jerry (caption AFC).  Suggestion via: Rachel Jones and c-monster.


And my personal favorite: The Onion’s Anne Geddes Satire.  (It’s also currently linked in our side bar).

{ 21 comments }

Sharon January 21, 2009 at 8:58 pm

Paddy–

Have you checked out my article in the December/January Brooklyn Rail–
Neo-Maternalism: Contemporary Artists’ Approach to Motherhood?

–Sharon @ Two Coats of Paint

Sharon January 21, 2009 at 8:58 pm

Paddy–

Have you checked out my article in the December/January Brooklyn Rail–
Neo-Maternalism: Contemporary Artists’ Approach to Motherhood?

–Sharon @ Two Coats of Paint

Sharon January 21, 2009 at 8:58 pm

Paddy–

Have you checked out my article in the December/January Brooklyn Rail–
Neo-Maternalism: Contemporary Artists’ Approach to Motherhood?

–Sharon @ Two Coats of Paint

Sharon January 21, 2009 at 8:58 pm

Paddy–

Have you checked out my article in the December/January Brooklyn Rail–
Neo-Maternalism: Contemporary Artists’ Approach to Motherhood?

–Sharon @ Two Coats of Paint

Sharon January 21, 2009 at 3:58 pm

Paddy–

Have you checked out my article in the December/January Brooklyn Rail–
Neo-Maternalism: Contemporary Artists’ Approach to Motherhood?

–Sharon @ Two Coats of Paint

ilia January 22, 2009 at 3:30 am
ilia January 21, 2009 at 10:30 pm
Barnaby January 22, 2009 at 4:36 pm

Yay! that’s me!

I put up some more o’ my babies. to celebrate.

http://barnabybarnabybarnaby.blogspot.com/2009/01/how-i-wish-you-could-be-my-baby-all.html

Barnaby January 22, 2009 at 4:36 pm

Yay! that’s me!

I put up some more o’ my babies. to celebrate.

http://barnabybarnabybarnaby.blogspot.com/2009/01/how-i-wish-you-could-be-my-baby-all.html

Barnaby January 22, 2009 at 4:36 pm

Yay! that’s me!

I put up some more o’ my babies. to celebrate.

http://barnabybarnabybarnaby.blogspot.com/2009/01/how-i-wish-you-could-be-my-baby-all.html

Barnaby January 22, 2009 at 4:36 pm

Yay! that’s me!

I put up some more o’ my babies. to celebrate.

http://barnabybarnabybarnaby.blogspot.com/2009/01/how-i-wish-you-could-be-my-baby-all.html

Barnaby January 22, 2009 at 11:36 am

Yay! that’s me!

I put up some more o’ my babies. to celebrate.

http://barnabybarnabybarnaby.blogspot.com/2009/01/how-i-wish-you-could-be-my-baby-all.html

Heart As Arena January 22, 2009 at 5:43 pm

Paddy, with her finger all on the pulse and stuff. CdG + The Quay Brothers = dead baby doll art.

Heart As Arena January 22, 2009 at 12:43 pm

Paddy, with her finger all on the pulse and stuff. CdG + The Quay Brothers = dead baby doll art.

Jen Wroblewski January 22, 2009 at 8:07 pm

Hey everyone! I have pregnancy drawings on my website. . . I’m curating a show on baby art, too for A.I.R. — mentioned in Sharon’s article. drop me a line if this is interesting to you. . .

Jen Wroblewski January 22, 2009 at 8:07 pm

Hey everyone! I have pregnancy drawings on my website. . . I’m curating a show on baby art, too for A.I.R. — mentioned in Sharon’s article. drop me a line if this is interesting to you. . .

Jen Wroblewski January 22, 2009 at 3:07 pm

Hey everyone! I have pregnancy drawings on my website. . . I’m curating a show on baby art, too for A.I.R. — mentioned in Sharon’s article. drop me a line if this is interesting to you. . .

nirav April 9, 2009 at 2:05 am

that collection was super

nirav April 9, 2009 at 2:05 am

that collection was super

nirav April 9, 2009 at 2:05 am

that collection was super

nirav April 8, 2009 at 9:05 pm

that collection was super

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