Relating a giant spider to motherhood might seem far-fetched, yet it is one of the most iconic works of art in our country. Because the enormous spider found outside the Guggenheim Museum in Bilbao is, neither more nor less, than a tribute to all mothers.
This Sunday is Mother’s Day and, for this reason, we have brought a very particular work of art that has a very powerful meaning. This spider that guards the museum is named ‘Mom’ and is by the French artist Louise Bourgeois.
Although it may be surprising, the first relationship between motherhood and spiders was established because her mother, with whom she was always very close, was a weaver. But it doesn’t stop there, for Louise Bourgeois spiders also represent the duality of mothers, they are protectors, they protect their offspring with silk thread, but they are also predatory because they use that same silk to catch their prey.
A spider looks scary but it is very fragile, with those long legs that rest on very small points on the ground. Motherhood is fragile at the same time very strong.
The video explains the artist’s career and also the details of this curious sculpture that leaves no one indifferent. Although it is not what mothers expect on their day, the meaning of this giant spider is a heartfelt tribute to all of them.
