Monica Sjöö at Modern Art Oxford (MAO)

I have been volunteering at MAO for a year now. Upon searching for volunteer opportunities it was a toss up between theatre, or art (surprisingly though I didn’t even check out opportunities to spend hours and hours of my free time playing with kittens!). Modern Art Oxford responded to me quickly and upon reflection I feel it was meant to be. I had a pleasant introductory call discussing what volunteering at the gallery entailed and when I signed on to an induction I was met by a lovely member of staff who took me through the history and ins and outs of the venue.

Going back, my first venture to MAO was a few years earlier, when my sister and I did a late night charity walk for the Maggie’s Centre. MAO was one of our pit stops, where we sat in the cafe, talking with others partaking in the walk who had been through, or had a loved one who had received care and comfort from Maggie's. I remember the setting being cozy and inviting, and we’d been given the opportunity to view some performance art in the upper gallery. Yet I hadn’t taken the time to visit again until volunteering, much to my own disgrace since it is quite a gem. The fact it had taken me so long to make a visit fills me with shame!

Though tucked out of the way down Pembroke Street, it seems to be no excuse for not visiting and MAO is no victim of its location given how popular it is. It has been operating as a modern art gallery for decades and has seen some quite tremendous and inspiring work pass through. From canvas paintings, sculpture, installations, experiences (including creative spaces, even for toddlers), performance to music, it houses accessible modern art that appeals to many and this has no doubt contributed to its success.

It is amazing to see the transformation of the spaces between such varied exhibits and art forms, but it also opens visitors up to what artwork is out there and what has come before.

The current Monica Sjöö exhibit is no exception. Her vast collection of colourful paintings display a unique, signature style and hold relevance to today’s current political climate pertaining to women’s reproductive rights, whilst her social justice based work (from zines, to protest banners and posters, to photography) place an emphasis on climate concerns and the threat of nuclear weaponry.

Monica had as colourful and spiritual a life as her paintings exhibit, but also a great deal of personal tragedy that no doubt fuelled her artwork and activism.

An online talk about Monica’s exhibit with MAO is available on YouTube and highly recommended, but nothing beats the real thing. This exhibit is on until February 25th. If like me, you love a good catalogue, you can also purchase a book of her work from the ever wonderful MAO bookshop.

As for MAO itself, with some of the friendliest people you could hope to meet and the opportunity to learn so much more about art, I can’t express more how great a place this is. Need time out to soothe your busy head, absorb some art and open your mind to the endless possibilities of the art world? MAO is the place to be!

MAO YouTube:

Curators In Conversation - Monica Sjoo: The Great Cosmic Mother

Visit MAO:

https://modernartoxford.org.uk/visit

Maggie's Centres:

https://www.maggies.org/