Louise Josephine Bourgeois, a renowned French-American artist, was born in Paris, France in 1911 and passed away in New York in 2010 at the age of 98. Recognized for her abstract creations, Bourgeois worked across various mediums including wood, marble, and latex, constantly exploring new materials and techniques. However, she is perhaps best remembered for her striking spider sculptures, which have become iconic symbols in her body of work. Bourgeois’ fascination with spiders is often attributed to her mother, who was a weaver and served as a source of inspiration throughout her life. Her spider sculptures, as well as many seen in this exhibit, are representations of Bourgeois” growing out of her childhood and into womanhood. Growing up in her mother’s shop, Bourgeois absorbed the art of repair and restoration, filling in missing elements of damaged pieces, a practice that deeply influenced her artistic journey. The spider sculptures, prominently featured in many of her exhibitions, are interpreted as symbolic representations of Bourgeois’ transition from childhood to womanhood. These intricate works evoke themes of protection, maternal instincts, and resilience, reflecting Bourgeois’ personal experiences and emotional growth. Through her art, Bourgeois delved into the complexities of human relationships and the passage of time, leaving behind a rich legacy that continues to captivate audiences worldwide.

“Bourgeois described her early work in New York as a “rebuttal” to Surrealism, which predicated creativity on women’s freedom from the home. Celebrating and identifying with hysterical femininity as a disavowal of the maternal role, Surrealism’s fantasy of the feminine is child-free.”

(Nixon, 2010)