Mothers are allowed to take breaks.

Anna-Sabina Zürrer knew early on that she wanted to make art her profession. This set her an ambitious goal. Living exclusively from artistic activity is only achieved by very few in the industry. Nevertheless, she put her plan into action: today she works as an artist in her studio in Lucerne and teaches young people in “Visual Design” at a cantonal school. For a long time, a life with a child was not in the cards for her – also because young mothers in the art scene have a particularly hard time establishing themselves successfully. A report from a creative mother who is resolutely committed to change.

“Whether I am successful in reconciling family and career is a good question. My son is now 10 years old and I am still trying. I have become much more relaxed over the years, and he has become more independent. I like to see my life as a colorful bouquet with many different types of flowers. This variety gives the bouquet its beauty. For me, every week is different and I like that. Overall, it gives me energy because I am doing what I love. My life currently consists of 50 % teaching art, 50 % making art, 50 % with my son, 40 % with my partner, 30 % dancing Tango Argentino and Lindy Hop, 20 % in the garden, 10 % attending cultural events or visiting friends, etc. A calculation that actually does not add up, but fulfills me in every sense of the word.”

Child or art?

“Art is my profession. I knew during my studies that I wanted to be active in art mediation and also make and exhibit art myself. This combination often means a balancing act, but I see it as mutually enriching. There are only a few positions for art teachers in Switzerland. I started early to strive intensively for one of the rare jobs and have been working two to three days a week at a high school for 16 years. For a long time, I didn’t want a child because my goal was to achieve something in art. As an artist, you quickly learn that a child is not necessarily conducive to your career. This is also because you need the so-called studio scholarships to make a name for yourself. But these almost always mean that you spend an extended period abroad. Leaving your child at home is just as impossible as taking your child to Paris for six months and focusing on your own creative process at the same time. I always told myself that I wanted to have a child when I had established myself as an artist to the extent that I could “afford” a family. Financially, art is profitable for only a few. I am glad for my teaching profession. It has not only brought me joy to this day but is also a welcome financial constant that allows me to be independent in art.”

Art as a reaction of defiance

“When I became a mother, a reaction of defiance set in at first. I didn’t want to be seen only as a mother, but definitely wanted to continue teaching and making art, even if both were in a slightly reduced form. I constantly felt the need to prove myself. At the time, my son’s father and my parents were important support for me because I could always count on them for my son’s care. Later, I went to the studio at night when my son was asleep and worked beyond my limits. But it was difficult to create new things because the time to immerse myself in art was very limited. Art became a secondary matter for a time because I was more than busy with the care and my activity at school. But the time with my son was sacred to me; the deceleration and spending a lot of time outdoors was beneficial. During this phase, I learned to fully enjoy the moment and to manage my time better. Still, I occasionally asked myself whether my life would be easier without art. Or the opposite question, whether it would be easier as an artist without a child. I can answer both questions with yes and yet wouldn’t want to trade with anyone else in the world. I believe every parent has asked themselves this or a similar question in a challenging moment. As strict as it can be: life with a child is so educational and enriching, it just makes me happy.”

Those without children have more opportunities

“Most have to pursue another job besides their artistic activity to earn money. For artists with children, it is therefore a triple burden: they work for art, for the money job and for the family. To establish oneself and one’s own artistic work successfully is a huge challenge because, as it has been for decades, mothers are clearly disadvantaged. The intensity of artistic work is still measured, among other things, by the number of exhibitions, prizes, and studio scholarships in your dossier that you submit for exhibition participation, competitions, etc. However, our time is limited; studio stays are not feasible for the reasons mentioned before. It is assumed that you put all your energy into art, are always available and are not distracted. Artists therefore often do not indicate in their documents that they have a child and a money job because it diminishes their chances of success. I find this discriminatory. If at all, most creatives have only one child. That has to change. There must also be a rethinking in the juries that decide on scholarships and funding. As a jury member, I have experienced that a young mother won a scholarship but had to decline because she would have had to go abroad and could not organize care for her child. The chances of success are much greater if you don’t have a child.”

Demanding change actively

“When my son was about a year and a half old, there was a time when I reached the limit of my capacity. For weeks I slept only four hours a night to meet all obligations, have time for my child school, and art. I organized two solo exhibitions in a short time – actually great projects that I couldn’t really enjoy. Our apartment lease had been terminated and we had to move. At some point, I drove to school in the dark in the morning and only realized after a while that I was driving without lights. I was so overworked that I could hardly concentrate on anything. For these situations, you need a good network of friends and family who are there for you. Today my son lives half the time with his father and everything is more relaxed. Being a part-time single parent can be exhausting, but at least I have more time for myself the other half of the week.

I wish that a general rethinking takes place in the art scene. The challenges that artists with children face must be addressed. We need family friendly studio scholarships and general awareness of the issue. But we also have to dare to openly address and discuss these desires for change. Otherwise, no one will notice that there is a great need here. We need a new definition of what actually qualifies an artist. It can no longer be just their independence and the number of stays abroad.”

Mothers are allowed to have hobbies

“Back then, I was very grateful for the opportunity to have my son looked after by childcare, a childminder or my parents on individual days. Today, I am less dependent on it. I tell all parents: take time outs. Time for yourselves or for hobbies. It is important to have enough energy for the child afterward. Today, when my son is with his father, I go to dance classes several times a week. It’s incredibly fun. These breaks have helped me a lot to develop my current satisfaction.”

"When I became a mother, a reaction of defiance set in at first. I didn't want to be seen only as a mother, but definitely wanted to continue teaching and making art."