M/other Artist Exhibition Call Out
Matrescence and Tracing the Matriline
The Daylight Collectiveis delighted to announce that we will be hosting an exhibition at Exeter Phoenix’s Walkway Gallery from 20 May - 24 June as part of Matrescence Festival 2026. We are a collective of artists across disciplines who are also m/others, interested in supporting and promoting m/other artists to remain visible and make work on their terms. Matrescence Festival invites conversation, art, community and education to explore the seismic changes that occur to a person when they become a m/other.
We would like to invite artworks from m/others to make visible the experience of m/otherhood. We’re looking for wall mountable art works by m/other artists that explore the themes of Matrescence and Tracing the Matriline:
Artwork Lisa Evans (2024 Exhibition)
Matrescence is a term coined by anthropologist Dana Raphael in the 1970s to describe the profound transformation a woman or birthing person undergoes when becoming a parent. Similar to adolescence, matrescence encompasses significant physical, cognitive, emotional, hormonal, and social changes that reshape a person’s identity and worldview.
Tracing the Matriline refers not only to your direct maternal ancestry, but also the m/other figures in your life. Who showed up for you during your matrescence and where did you find maternal support during this phase? Did you receive the support you needed? What does a matricentric community look like for you? Whether connected by blood or circumstance, how were you affected by the m/other figures around you?
This exhibition call is open to all m/others - inclusive of pregnant people, non-binary parents, queer mothers, trans parents, adoptive mothers, foster mothers, surrogate mothers, bereaved mothers, grandmothers, great grandmothers. This is not an exclusive list, and the use of '/Other' is intended to include not marginalise anyone but recognise the many different journeys and identities within matrescence.
We are inclusive of all artists both professional and/or passionate. This is a call out for m/others with creativity in their bones.
Selected artists receive:
Curated exhibition placement
Professional installation
Promotion across The Daylight Collective and Matrescence Festival platforms
Direct engagement with visitors
Exhibition celebration and Creative M/Other circle on Thursday 21 May at Exeter Phoenix.
To apply:
1. Please read the full brief
2. Fill out the application form below by Monday 30 March 2026 at 9am.
3. Please make a donation here of £10+ to support towards the costs of the exhibition. If cost is a barrier please select free place in the form, no questions asked. Remember to go the the checkout at the top right to complete the process. NB. Application and donation does not guarantee a space in the exhibition.
Location: Exeter Phoenix Walkway Gallery
Exhibition Dates: 20th May - 24th June 2026
Application Deadline: Monday 30 March 2026.
All applicants will be notified by 2 April 2026.
1. Brief:
Theme
Matrescence and Tracing the Matriline (As outlined above)
Media
We welcome all media, as long as it can be safely wall mounted. Two-dimensional artworks are ideal, but we may be able to accommodate a certain amount of protrusion from the wall. Please be aware that the artworks will be displayed in a busy walkway.
Content
This exhibition will be held in a public walkway and we need to be mindful of sensitive content. Graphic imagery or explicit language must be discussed in advance.
Size
Artworks ranging in scale from approximately A5 - A2 are welcome.
Quantity
You are welcome to submit up to three artworks for consideration. Please let us know if they are a series that need displaying together.
Mounting
Artworks will be attached to the wall using mirror plates and must be mounted in a wooden frame or have a wooden backing that can be screwed into to attach the mirror plates. Artists should attach a mirror ready for hanging. Please ensure your chosen frames are robust enough for mirror plates. The Daylight Collective take no responsibility for damage to frames, caused as a result of artwork submitted without mirror plates attached
Delivery and Collection
You must be able to deliver your artwork directly to Exeter Phoenix and collect it afterwards.
Artworks must be delivered by the 19th May by 9:30am. Artworks can be delivered to Exeter Phoenix between Friday 15 - 18 May during opening hours also and will be stored by Exeter Phoenix.
The exhibition will be taken down on Thursday 25th June at 10am with collection from then onwards, but must be collected by Sunday 28th June.
Artsworks are stored at Exeter Phoenix at your own risk.
Insurance
Independent insurance is recommended as we do not offer group insurance. We recommend looking at A-N who offer membership and insurance for artists.
Promoting the Exhibition
Selected artists will be expected to promote the exhibition within their networks by sharing it on social media platforms and mailing lists as applicable and in your community. We will provide marketing materials and copy.
Sale of Artworks
Selected artists are welcome to exhibit their artworks for sale. Any sales made through Exeter Phoenix will be subject to 25% commission and collection of artworks needs to be arranged for the end of the exhibition. Alternatively, rather than advertising your artwork as “for sale,” you can encourage potential customers to contact you directly and arrange for sales to be completed after the exhibition has been taken down.
2. Application Form:
3. Make a donation
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Registration forms are stored securely in line with the General Data Protection Regulation. By filling in this form you are giving consent to Lizzy Humber accessing and storing your contact information. Details are never shared with third parties.