Mother
Mother by Judy Olausen is a unique collection of photographic portraits that humorously explores the role of mothers in American society. Published by Avery on May 1, 1996, this first edition features 96 pages and is presented in English. Through a series of striking images, Olausen captures her own mother, Vivian Olausen, using 1950s-inspired props to create surreal representations of domestic life, reflecting the complexities of motherhood just before the women’s liberation movement.
Readers will find a blend of humor and social commentary as the photographs depict Vivian in various imaginative scenarios, such as “Mother as Coffee Table” and “Mother Under Pressure.” The work serves as a visual metaphor for the expectations placed on mothers and housewives, while also incorporating elements of American wit and humor. This collection invites reflection on the social customs surrounding motherhood in the United States, showcasing the balance between domesticity and individuality through a playful lens.
Official synopsis Publisher
In the spirit of William Wegman and Cindy Sherman, Judy Olausen offers up a hilarious yet oddly unsettling collection of portraits of that most sacred of institutions: Mother. Photographing her own mother using 1950s-inspired props, she turns a lifelong homemaker into a surreal icon of all-American-style domestic submission. From “Mother as Coffee Table” to “Mother as Doormat” or “Roadkill,” Olausen creates visual metaphors for Mother’s role in the era just preceding the women’s liberation movement.
Vivian Olausen, the sole model in Mother, proved to be an enthusiastic and professional participant. She lugs a boulder up a staircase in “Mother Under Pressure” and drags a cross in “Mother Goes to Market.” She’s shown strapped to an old sedan, chained to a chair, chased by a giant tarantula in one image and a bear in another – all with good humor. “I’m just Judy’s model,” says Vivian, “I leave the rest up to her.”
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