Mater Mundi

Art Curator Paris Kapralos, in collaboration with the art gallery Alma Mater (Exarchia, Athens), invites visual artists to submit their artworks for participating in an international exhibition inspired by and in honor of  International Women’s Day 2025.

The official languages of the exhibition are Greek and English, and a commemorative catalog in digital format will be published in both languages. The exhibition will also be available internationally online through the ARTgrID platform for one month.

Eligibility. Artists from around the world can participate provided they are over 18 years old.

Theme and Types of Work. The exhibition welcomes submissions of painting, sculpture, printmaking, photography, collage, and digital art. The works can interact with the theme in any way the artist finds suitable.

Conceptual Framework. The phrase “Mater Mundi” (Mother of the World) has been used in various contexts throughout history, with particular emphasis in religious, philosophical, and artistic discourse. In mysticism, French scholar Guillaume Postel (1510–1581) used the phrase to describe a divine, mystical figure associated with the idea of the New Eve. In religious iconography, the Virgin Mary is presented as “Mater Mundi,” signifying her role as the Mother of all humanity. Ovid and other Roman poets did not use the phrase explicitly, but its meaning resonates indirectly in their works referring to cosmic and divine mothers. In Renaissance and Medieval symbolism, Mater Mundi was used to describe the embodiment of care, life, and love. However, in modern times, the phrase “Mater Mundi” has been redefined as a reminder of the multifaceted human identity of women. The woman-mother, alongside her role as a source of life and care, is first and foremost a person, with dreams, ambitions, and rights. The struggles for gender equality in the 20th and 21st centuries highlighted the need to recognize women not only as mothers or symbols but also as equal members of society. Efforts for equality in work, decision-making, and family life underscored the importance of the emancipation of the woman-mother. Today, the term can also symbolize global care, social justice, and collective responsibility, borne not only by women but by all people for the world’s welfare. Thus, the phrase gains a new, dynamic character, reflecting the challenges and achievements of modern society.