While Maman is a sculpture, its scale and the way it dominates the space in which it is installed make it a powerful example of installation art. Bourgeois's work often explores themes of family, sexuality, and the subconscious. The spider, a recurring motif in her work, is a complex and ambivalent symbol, representing both a nurturing mother and a fearsome predator. Its imposing size and presence evoke a sense of awe and unease.
Born: December 25, 1911, Paris, France
Died: May 31, 2010, New York City, USA
Nationality: French-American
Style: Installation Art, Sculpture, Surrealism
Influences: Psychoanalysis, memory, the body
Major Exhibitions: "Maman" (1999), "Cells" (1990s), "The Destruction of the Father" (1974)
Quote: "Art is a guarantee of sanity."
Website: https://www.hauserwirth.com/artists/298-louise-bourgeois
Maman is a massive bronze sculpture of a spider, over 30 feet tall. The spider carries a sac containing marble eggs, suggesting themes of motherhood, protection, and fear.
