Artistry and Motherhood explores the intersection of creative practice, caregiving and identity, asking how motherhood can shape an artist’s work, ambitions and sense of self.

Inspired by presenter Olivia De Prato’s own experience of starting a family, the project brings together works by Jen Baker, Zosha Di Castri and Samantha Fernando alongside conversations about the realities of sustaining an artistic life while caring for children. Through music and dialogue, the programme considers the practical challenges of balancing caregiving with creative work, the ways motherhood can influence artistic vision, and the support needed to help artists continue developing their practices.

Rather than framing motherhood as a choice between family and artistic ambition, Artistry and Motherhood creates space to consider how these identities can coexist. The programme invites audiences to reflect on the structures, expectations and communities that shape the lives of artist-parents, while celebrating the diverse creative voices of the women at its centre.

PROGRAMME

OLIVIA DE PRATO, presenter

JEN BAKER
Fire in the Dark

ZOSHA DI CASTRI
The Dream Feed

SAMANTHA FERNANDO
Balconies

OLIVIA DE PRATO, violin
PAUL COLEMAN, sound

ABOUT OLIVIA DE PRATO

Austro-Italian violinist Olivia De Prato is internationally recognised as a soloist and chamber musician, with a practice centred on contemporary and improvised music. She performs regularly across Europe, South America, China and the United States, expanding the boundaries of traditional violin repertoire.

De Prato is a member of the new music ensemble Signal and co-founder and first violinist of the Mivos Quartet, dedicated to contemporary string quartet repertoire. Her debut solo album, Streya (2018, New Focus Recordings), featured Missy Mazzoli’s Grammy-nominated Vespers. In 2019, she received the Ursula and Dwight Mamlok Prize for the interpretation of contemporary music.

Her album I, A.M. – Artist Mother Project (2022, New World Records) was named among VAN Magazine’s best classical albums of the year. Her latest solo album, Panorama (2024, New Focus Recordings), features works by Samantha Fernando, Miya Masaoka, Angélica Negrón, Missy Mazzoli and Jen Shyu.