The story of an artist who transformed her childhood traumas into powerful, monumental art and only became world-famous at the age of 70.

In the great squares of the world stands a sculpture that both fascinates and unnerves: a monumental bronze spider, over nine meters high. Its name is "Maman" – Mother. It is the most famous work of Louise Bourgeois, one of the most influential artists of the 20th century.

In this episode of "10 Minute Insight: Art," we delve deep into the psyche of this extraordinary woman. We decipher why a spider was a symbol of motherly care for her and explore her oppressive "Cells" – walk-in soulscapes made of old doors and bars. Learn the story of an artist who worked in silence for decades and only found the recognition she deserved late in life by transforming her most personal fears and memories into universal art.

In this episode, you will learn:

• A Spider Named Mother: Why Louise Bourgeois saw the eight-legged creature as the perfect symbol for her mother, a tapestry restorer.

• Architecture of the Soul: The story behind the eerie and fascinating "Cells" – walk-in cages filled with personal objects.

• The Woman in the House: The meaning of her early "Femme Maison" works, in which female bodies merge with houses.

• From the Basement to the Museum: How a single exhibition at the Museum of Modern Art in 1982 catapulted the then 70-year-old artist into the spotlight overnight.

• The Language of Material: Why she worked with vulnerable latex, cool marble, or solid steel at different times.

A Journey into the World of Louise Bourgeois:

We follow Louise Bourgeois from her childhood in a Parisian tapestry workshop to her late breakthrough in the New York art scene. Her story is shaped by the confrontation with her family, particularly the trauma of her father's betrayal. Her long road to recognition finally led her to the grandest stage of the art world when her monumental spider, Maman, astonished the world at the inauguration of the Tate Modern in London.

Further Reading & Resources:

• Experience "Maman" Around the World: Locations of the Sculpture (Tate)

• Insights into the "Cells": Louise Bourgeois: An Unfolding Portrait (MoMA Exhibition)

• Deepen Your Knowledge: Wikipedia Article on Louise Bourgeois

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