Mothering Myths: An ABC of Art, Birth and Care

Mothering Myths invites you to re‑imagine what it means to mother - not as a fixed role, but as a living constellation of care, creation, and community. Through essays, artworks, and reflections, it gently yet powerfully dismantles the familiar myths, pressures, and idealized images that have long shaped expectations around motherhood.

This book offers:

• A radical, transhistorical, and intersectional exploration of motherhood, parental care, and creative labour - honoring all kinds of “mothering,” whether by biological mothers, chosen families, or non‑traditional caregivers.

• A beautifully designed abecedarium - perfect for busy or tired parents: short, thoughtful texts and images to read in fragments, yet together forming a deep, layered meditation.

• A celebration of vulnerability, strength, and solidarity - inviting readers to reflect on care, creativity, identity, and what motherhood can truly be.

More than just a book about motherhood, Mothering Myths is an invitation to pause, question inherited norms, and discover a broader, richer vision of care, connection, and belonging.

Editors: Laurie Cluitmans & Heske ten Cate

Contributors include: Tracey Emin, Paul B. Preciado, Sheila Heti, Angela Davis, Simone de Beauvoir, Anne Sexton, Louise Bourgeois, Julie Phillips, Hettie Judah, Maggie Nelson, Linda Nochlin, Susan Griffin, Silvia Federici, Sinéad Gleeson, James Baldwin, Nick Cave, Audre Lorde, Élisabeth Badinter, Sarah Jaffe, Ocean Vuong, Elena Ferrante, Jane Lazarre, Torrey Peters, Rachel Cusk and more.

Publisher: Valiz, in collaboration with Centraal Museum (Utrecht) and Nest (The Hague)
Format / Pages: Softcover / 304 pages / 32 x 24 cm
Language: English
Year: 2025