Chantal Joffe: Personal Feeling is the Main Thing at The Lowry

Joffe has talked about her images of mothers and children in terms of transitions – not only of ageing but also an attempt to mark a life’s milestones, as universal as they are personal. The title of the exhibition is taken from Paula Modersohn-Becker (1876 – 1907), whose paintings of women and children are an enduring influence on Joffe, and the exhibition includes a number of works by the German artist. Modersohn-Becker died shortly after giving birth to her first child, at the age of 31.Today she is recognised as being among the first female artists to paint nude self-portraits.

Speaking about Modersohn-Becker’s work, Joffe has said: ‘That she was able to make these paintings a hundred years ago: for me that’s incredibly helpful and enlightening… It is as if someone is reaching across time and saying: You can paint these subjects and you can do it in a way that is incredibly modern and of your time.’ The works on display have been selected by the artist to resonate with the broader theme of The Lowry’s biennial, cross-arts Week 53 festival – Coming of Age.