Charleston artist Alexandria Taylor will showcase her exhibition, “Birth of a Mother,” at this year’s MOJA Arts Festival. The festival is scheduled to take place in the Charleston area, highlighting a range of arts and cultural expressions from the African diaspora.
Taylor, who learned of her pregnancy shortly before competing in the Miss South Carolina USA pageant, recalls how the intense experience affected her. As her mother helped her pack for the event, Taylor felt physically ill and overwhelmed. In a moment of vulnerability, she broke down in tears, reflecting on her mother’s pained look that transformed her from an adult to her mother’s baby again. “I realized my pain was also my mother’s pain,” Taylor said, noting that this emotional connection would shape her perspective as a mother.
Despite the challenges, Taylor reached the final three contestants in the pageant with her family’s support. The birth of her daughter brought her immense joy, as she described her child as “the best piece of art” she has ever created. However, this time also marked a struggle with her mental health, where she felt both awe and sorrow simultaneously. “The grief of my former self and the joy of my daughter was all happening at the same time, and I felt a lot of guilt about that,” she shared. “I had a loss of my identity.”
These complex emotions inspired Taylor to create the artworks featured in “Birth of a Mother,” aiming to express the interplay of joy and grief that often accompanies motherhood. The exhibition is set to explore themes of identity, emotional conflict, and the transformative experience of becoming a parent.
The MOJA Arts Festival is an annual event that celebrates the rich culture of the African diaspora through music, dance, visual arts, and other forms of artistic expression. Taylor’s exhibition will contribute to this vibrant cultural tapestry, providing attendees with personal insights into the motherhood experience.
