Picturing Mothers September 2026

In this hybrid live and online workshop, we will explore how motherhood has been represented, idealised, politicised and reimagined through art across cultures and historical periods.

From ancient fertility figures and religious iconography to modern and contemporary works exploring labour, identity, care and resistance, this course traces the different constructions of motherhood through visual culture. In doing so, we are able reflect on how these images shape, and have shaped, our own understanding of what it means to be a mother, to have a mother, to picture mothers.

Through a blend of art history, cultural analysis and guided discussion, we will examine how images of mothers shape, and are shaped by, ideas about gender, family, power and belonging. 

This course is suitable for anyone interested in art, history, feminism, visual culture, motherhood, identity or thoughtful learning. 

No prior knowledge is needed.

WHAT TO EXPECT

• A single 3 hour morning session comprising mini-lectures, visual analysis and discussions session
• Analysis of iconic artworks across cultures and historical periods
• Guided discussion and space for reflection
• Online creative prompts to explore in your own time before and after the session
• Access to a private course page with optional summer reading materials and a curated book list
• An intimate and welcoming group atmosphere
• This is a live experience and will not be recorded

DATES & TIMES

Choose the date that suits you,  both sessions offer the same programme:

• Thursday 17th September 2026, 10am–1pm
• Saturday 26th September 2026, 10am–1pm

Live online via Zoom. 

TICKETS

All ticket holders receive full access to the live session, private course page, summer readings, and online creative prompts.

Please choose the tier that reflects your current circumstances.

• Community ticket — £45 
• Standard ticket  — £89 
• Supporter ticket — £120. This helps fund the free places and also includes the option to have a developmental edit on a piece of writing of up to 1,000 words produced in response to the course. Limited to 5 places. 

This is a live experience and sessions will not be recorded.

Please note that there is a minimum number of paid places required for the course to run.

ABOUT YOUR TEACHER

Led by Dr Joanna Wolfarth, art historian and educator. Joanna currently teaches at the Courtauld Institute of Art and The Open University. She has previously lectured at SOAS, University of London, University of Leeds and Fulbright University Vietnam. She is the author of Milk: An Intimate History of Breastfeeding (Weidenfeld & Nicolson) and writes and teaches on art, gender, culture and motherhood.

TESTIMONIALS

'This course was such a valuable introduction to depictions of motherhood, as Joanna expertly guided us through a whistle-stop tour of how the work of mothers has been represented.

'A brilliant combination of formal observation and emotional connection, the ways in which Joanna steered us into thinking about artworks as portals into other's experiences while reconsidering our own, was a brilliant way to spend an evening. The sessions flew by.'

'I learned so much and felt very inspired. I particularly enjoyed bringing in political/social context, and linking older works to newer works and understanding how they relate.'

' a thought-provoking series of discussions and artworks. I loved being prompted to think more deeply about what artworks are trying to say, and how we receive them'.

Frequently Asked Questions

Who is this workshop for?
Anyone interested in art, history, feminism, visual culture, motherhood or identity. You don't need any prior knowledge of art history, just curiosity and an openness to discussion.

Do I need to be a mother to attend?
Not at all. The workshop explores how motherhood has been represented and constructed through art across cultures and history. It's relevant to anyone interested in these ideas, regardless of their own experience of motherhood.

What does the ticket include?
All ticket holders receive access to the live session, plus a private course page with optional summer reading materials, a curated book list, and online creative prompts to explore in your own time before and after the session.

What does the Supporter ticket include?
The Supporter ticket (£120) includes everything above plus an optional developmental edit on a piece of writing of up to 1,000 words produced in response to the course. Limited to 5 places. This tier also helps support the free places. 

Which date should I choose?
Both sessions offer exactly the same programme, choose whichever date suits you best. Thursday 17th September or Saturday 26th September, both 10am–1pm.

Will the session be recorded?
No, this is a live experience and will not be recorded. This is intentional: the discussion and intimacy of the group is central to the workshop.

What platform will the session run on?
The workshop will run live via Zoom. You'll receive the link closer to the date.

Do I need to do the summer readings before attending?
No, the summer reading materials are entirely optional. They're there for those who'd like to explore the ideas in advance, but you'll get everything you need from the session itself.

Are free places available?
Yes, a small number of free places are available by confidential request. Please email joanna@joannawolfarth.com

What if the course doesn't run?
A minimum number of paid places is required for the course to run. In the unlikely event that this isn't reached, you will receive a full refund.

I have another question — how do I get in touch?
Email joanna@joannawolfarth.com and I'll get back to you as soon as I can.