In this episode of Mother And …, artist Mona Cliff (Fort Belknap A’aninin tribe) reflects on how motherhood and Indigenous traditions have shaped her art practice. Cliff, who works across beadwork, murals, and mixed media, describes how raising three children initially led her to focus on traditional arts - making regalia and beadwork - before returning to a contemporary practice that integrates cultural knowledge with fine art. She speaks candidly about navigating the logistical challenges of mothering while building an artistic career, from beading late at night when her children were small to involving her now-teenagers in murals and studio projects. For Cliff, beadwork embodies ancestral knowledge, generosity, and the value of women’s time, principles she weaves into both her art and parenting. This episode is part of the Mother And … exhibition, on view at the Leedy-Voulkos Art Center in Kansas City from September 5 through November 21, 2025

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