INDEX
Juggling Art and Parenthood
The exhibition features works by Ei Arakawa-Nash himself, along with over 60 artists who collaborated with him. The nine loosely divided sections are each titled “Painting and ◯◯,” but the one that immediately stands out is Section 2, titled “Painting and Parenting.”
“Painting and parenting” might seem incompatible, but in fact, it’s not. Parenting, like painting, is filled with “love” and “anger.” This section showcases works by artist-parents, with one piece standing out in particular.
The portrayal of a father sleep-deprived from his baby’s nightly cries. The overwhelming frustration, almost tinged with resentment, is captured so powerfully that it evokes both a sense of discomfort and laughter. If sleep deprivation reaches this level, I’d rather the artist sleep than paint… but that’s the reality of parenting. I had expected the “Painting and Parenting” section to feature softer, more comforting works, like those in children’s books, so this intense, personal piece really struck me. Perhaps, when raising children, we should be painting more.
