A Mothers Legacy

Overview

I am a visual artist working in oil painting, drawing, and printmaking, exploring the complexities of motherhood. My work reflects both the beauty and challenges of caregiving, identity, and transformation, drawing from my personal experiences as a mother. Through figurative and symbolic imagery, I capture moments of connection, resilience, and the often-unseen emotional labour of mothering. I am particularly interested in how the maternal experience shapes identity—how we lose, find, and redefine ourselves through caregiving.

In 2024, I presented three solo exhibitions—#Artistmother, The Art of Motherhood, and A Mother’s Legacy—each exploring different facets of motherhood. These exhibitions allowed me to share my perspective with a wider audience and engage in meaningful conversations about the intersection of art and motherhood.

Through my work, I aim to challenge traditional representations of motherhood and bring visibility to its emotional depth. I hope my art resonates with others, inviting reflection on the universal yet deeply personal nature of mothering, love, and transformation.

A Mother’s Legacy is a deeply personal exhibition celebrating the extraordinariness of everyday motherhood through oil painting and drawing. It captures the quiet strength, resilience, and tenderness of maternal life, from small, intimate moments to the weight of unspoken sacrifices. The work reflects on the physical and emotional labor of motherhood, honoring its complexity with rich symbolism and evocative storytelling. Through a deeply felt exploration of care, identity, and love, A Mother’s Legacy invites audiences to reflect on the power and beauty of motherhood in all its forms, leaving a lasting impression on those who experience it.

Exhibition details

Public Open Days: 
19 – 30 of March, during FUSEBOX’s standard opening hours
Wednesday – Friday, 11:00 – 18:00
Saturday, 12:30 – 18:00
Last admission is 17:30

Activity:

FilmBox Mother’s Screening and Q&A Panel
Wednesday 19 March, 6pm – 9pm

A Mother’s Legacy Exhibition Launch
Friday 21 March, 6pm – 8pm

Mothers Day Flower Making Workshop
Sunday 30 March, 12pm – 2pm

About the artist

Sharon James is a visual artist based in Swanage, Dorset, working in oil painting, drawing, and printmaking. Her work explores the complexities of motherhood, capturing both its beauty and challenges through figurative painting. Drawing from personal experience, she examines themes of caregiving, identity, resilience, and transformation, shedding light on the often-unseen emotional labour of mothering.

She holds an MA in Printmaking from Camberwell School of Art (1994) Her work conveys the tenderness and struggles of motherhood while challenging traditional representations of maternal identity. As a queer black mother of three IVF children.

In 2024, she presented three solo exhibitions—#Artistmother, The Art of Motherhood,and A Mother’s Legacy—each exploring different facets of the maternal experience. These exhibitions sparked meaningful conversations about the intersection of art and motherhood, solidifying her place as an artist deeply engaged with this subject matter.

Through her work, Sharon aims to create a space for reflection and dialogue, inviting viewers to connect with the universal yet deeply personal nature of mothering. Her art serves as both a celebration and an exploration of love, sacrifice, and transformation.