Family Matters
In their group show, oil painters Lauren Saunders, Stephanie Spay, and Kate Orr have come together to create Family Matters, which acts as a play on words: "matters of the family, and things that matter." The pieces in this show all share the theme of depicting tender, unposed moments of motherhood and family life, either through portraiture or still life paintings.
When Saunders was offered the show about a year ago, she found out that she was pregnant with her fourth child later that same week. Amazingly, she had created only a couple of pieces for this show by this time, and then painted the majority of the 20-30 paintings during her pregnancy. When she realized this would be quite the undertaking to do a solo show while preparing for another baby, Saunders turned to two of her good friends, who she knew would be able to contribute deeply beautiful and nostalgic works that would fit in perfectly within the theme of motherhood and home life: Stephanie Spay and Kate Orr.
In this season of preparation, Saunders still prioritized this show and created a series of still lifes that perfectly capture the home life of a busy family, depicting the scrawled drawings of a young child or a child's toy set next to a centerpiece on a table. Each piece is a perfect reminder of how raising children weaves its way through every aspect of a parent's life, and all the joy and chaos that comes with it.
Saunders' still-life paintings are perfectly complemented by Stephanie Spay's gestural portraits of people in poses that feel natural and unfettered: people gather around a table to play games or eat, a boy reads a book while leaning on his beloved childhood dog. Each piece features soft, warm color palettes that enhance the show's sentimental nature. The subjects of each piece are also incredibly focused on the task at hand; fully absorbed in the moment. Spay's paintings are beautiful, tender depictions of life at home, offering a glimpse into a world full of togetherness.
Similarly, Kate Orr's oil paintings depict tender moments between loved ones, characterized by intentionally warm color palettes and gestural brushstrokes. While not a mother herself, Orr grew up in a large, energetic family full of busyness. Similar to Spay's pieces in this show, each painting depicts snapshots of people in natural poses. Each piece that Orr contributed to this show depicts two people: a mother and child, an older and younger sibling, or what appears to be a grandparent holding their grandchild close. The physical embrace in each piece is perfectly complemented by warm tones, prompting the viewer to think of the last time they held a loved one close.
Family Matters tells a story that may seem trivial but, in actuality, conveys such dignity that each moment depicted feels grand, even in its everydayness. This show reminds us of the intimacy between mother and child, as well as the sacrifices these mothers make every moment of every day as they care for their families while still finding time for themselves. Take time with each piece to dwell on the everyday moments in our lives that we should never take for granted.
