The mother is the ground from which the daughter pushes herself free. She serves as a model for her daughter, yet resisting her identity is essential for the daughter to grow and forge her own autonomous self. The mother-daughter relationship is multifaceted and evolves over time, intertwining a profound connection with individual separation, making it complex yet infinitely rich.

The exhibition’s works draw inspiration from personal belongings and stories that enable the exploration and interpretation of the mother-daughter relationship. These things function as a social archive, carrying within them relationships, values, and personal and collective histories. Like people, things are embodied—they evoke emotions, summon memories, and can revive past moments. Within them, reality and dreams, the past and aspirations, are interwoven.

Participatory installation

The exhibition also includes participatory installation created in collaboration with University of Tartu ethnologists Ester Bardone and Eeva-Ruth Niitvägi using the object-based interview method. The installation showcases the stories and meaningful possessions of 10 women with a connection to Tartu, demonstrating how objects can be used to tell stories and make sense of relationships.

The exhibition is dedicated to art historian Reet Varblane (1952–2023), a mother, grandmother, friend, colleague, mentor, and inspiration.