For our artistic moms

Yesterday, the country commemorated Mother’s Day celebrations. Everyone had the opportunity to celebrate in a special way the mother figures in their life.

It is in the same spirit that I dedicate this entry to the female artists from across the creative industry who happen to be mothers. I want to celebrate them for the huge sacrifices they make every day they juggle the two roles of being a mother and an artist.

From time immemorial, our societies have been dictated by patriarchal tendencies and stereotypes. The thinking that a woman’s best place in the kitchen, notions that woman cannot express herself and a belief that a woman’s best place is under the tutelage of a man.

Under this poisoned environment a lot other women have failed to take their rightful places in many spaces of our society despite the numerous immerse gifts and natural talents. Often time’s women have chosen to take the backseat and leave the stage to their male counterparts.

But within the lot, we have others who have refused to have their talents inhibited by the misplaced and wrong notions that societies continue to propagate even in this age. The weight of their talents has proved to be too heavy for them not to share with the world.

These women of valor have therefore stepped out of that cocoon, taken their position and have subsequently made the world listen, watch, learn, admire and draw inspiration from their trade. I am talking about the female musicians, fashion creatives, actresses, lady DJs, female videographers and many others plying in the creative sector.

After beating the negative forces to establish themselves in a male-dominated domain, these women have the challenge of balancing their careers with motherhood and being a wife in many instances.

Being a wife and a mother elsewhere is a full time job already. For as a mother and wife you are where the buck stops. You are the main keeper of the household. When anything goes wrong the finger of blame rests on a woman.

So, on this list of demands add a career as an artist. An artist seldom has a defined working schedule such as most jobs where one is expected to go at work at 7:30 in the morning and get back home at 5 pm.

If there is one industry with crazy working demands and schedules then it is the creative industry. Sometimes you have to be out performing as late as midnight, at times you have to travel constantly to far away sights in order to get the best out of your production.

For one to survive this terrain, you need a thick skin or more so an understanding and supportive family structure. If any of these are missing then your artistic pursuits are bound to suffer sooner than later.

But we have these women who are able to weather the numerous storms in order to live their dream. They persevere in order to give us that beautiful movie storyline, to give us that well-crafted song, to make us dance during special events and colour our lives with those beautiful poems.

I want to call these ladies for what they are; special women. Their contributions in the creative industry is priceless and as we are still in the spirit of the Mother’s Day celebrations let them feel it in their hearts that we celebrate them.

My work would have been impossible if it were not for a number of these special women who are always more than willing to give me interviews for my articles. Sometimes during awkward hours, within tight date lines and at times without any due preparation.

I wish I could list you all here but I am limited of space because the list is just too long. Find it in your hearts that you are appreciated. Happy Mother’s Day to you all creative mothers and let us keep the fire burning!