An exhibition opening Saturday, March 15, at the Wichita Falls Museum of Art at MSU Texas will explore the complex experience of motherhood through art. In 2023, Austin-based artist Kyle Hawley created a series of life-sized monoprints that transform the tools of motherhood — cloth utility accessories and garments — into expressive works, unfolding the colorful spectrum of the maternal experience.

Hawley is a seventh-generation Texan and mother of two. Trained as a journalist, art director, printer, and narrative-based storyteller, she brings a rich perspective to each of her subjects. Her prior work in film and television grounds her art of narrative storytelling.

In collaboration with Flatbed Press in 2023, Hawley created a series of monoprints that would unfold the often-contradictory feelings of motherhood, repurposing tools of the role into expressions of art to reveal a rainbow of emotive colors. Using monoprinting techniques, Hawley prints directly from the accessories and garments, which she designed and created to assist in mothering.

“Unfolding the Rainbow of Motherhood is a deeply personal yet universally resonant exploration of conflicting emotions, and sacrifice,” said museum director Zora Carrier. “We are honored to present this exhibition in collaboration with Flatbed Press, celebrating Hawley’s ability to turn the fabric of daily life into a compelling visual narrative.”

From 1-2 p.m. Saturday, March 22, Hawley and Katherine Brimberry of Flatbed Press will present an interactive demonstration showcasing relief printmaking techniques and fabric-resist printing. Attendees will have the opportunity to watch a step-by-step demo of the relief roll process, using gradation with two colors on plexiglass. They will learn to ink up lace or fabric and transfer the textures onto paper and participate in creating their sample prints with provided materials. They can observe the final demonstration on printing from a negative (or relief) surface.

An opening reception will be held from 2-4 p.m. Saturday, March 22.

The exhibition will be on display through June 7, 2025. at the WFMA at MSU Texas, # 2 Eureka Circle, Wichita Falls, Texas. Gallery hours are 10 a.m.-5 p.m. Tuesday-Friday and 1-5 p.m. Saturday.