Charity "Charlea" Taylor

Written By Lauren McLaughlin

I am a third generation mothering artist working primarily in analog collage with vintage magazines, recycled textiles, and embroidery. My current work explores themes of sexuality and motherhood in the context of leaving fundamentalist Christianity. These works deconstruct forced ideals, conformity, religious trauma, and sexual repression. As a stay at home mother and a working artist I find the process of cutting and mending various materials a healing process. My serious pursuit of art began in 2017 around the time I cared for my grandmother during the last year of her life. This was poignant for me as both my mother and grandmother had to give up their art careers to be full-time mothers. I am a better mom because of my art and I am a stronger artist because of my son. At each stage in my artistic journey a broader community of artists has informed and driven my work as I have gleaned most of my approach from the community of artists in Chicago and the DIY arts scene. My work has been featured in numerous group exhibitions and publications as well as a solo show at Chicago’s Belong Gallery in May of 2021. In November 2022, I co-founded the Chicago Collage Community with Christine Vilutis, with the principle that everyone is included and no one is excluded. I will be starting my studies for a bachelors in Fine Arts at The School of the Art Institute of Chicago this fall.

Lauren McLaughlin
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