The term “MILF” has captivated cultural imagination for years, from the timeless music video of “Stacy’s Mom” by Fountains of Wayne to the numerous films and TV series that have embraced this archetype. Artist Molly Wurwand, however, redefines the MILF, not merely as a pop culture symbol, but as a celebration of beauty, complexity, and gender-fluid allure; a quintessential figurehead of Los Angeles.
Currently, at Junior High, an inclusive art hub in LA that fosters the creativity and safety of women, LGBTQ+ individuals, non-binary, and POC artists, Wurwand, in partnership with THNK1994, an innovative pop culture museum in NYC, reveals the MILF Museum. This must-see exhibit presents a reverent and subversive tribute to MILFs, while also challenging their traditional definitions.
An Immersive Exploration of MILF Iconography
Wurwand’s inaugural solo show engulfs attendees in an environment that blends nostalgia with a contemporary edge. The display provides a comprehensive sensory feast through its diverse multimedia offerings. On entry, guests are welcomed by a real-life MILF reclining on an astroturf and delivering a spoken-word interpretation of “Stacy’s Mom.” This ambiance is accentuated by fragrances from Basenote Bitch, taking visitors on a sensory journey through time.
Standout features include an interactive mirror allowing spectators to envision themselves as a MILF, coupled with the opportunity to overhear voicemails for an elusive MILF, ranging from cosmetic surgery appointment confirmations to jacuzzi maintenance updates. However, the heart of the exhibit lies in its visual components, primarily the exhibition titled “Deranged Reverence.”
The installation showcases ten original paintings of MILFs straight from Wurwand’s creative consciousness, and an anthropological assortment of relics harking back to the late ’80s and early ’00s. This includes a vintage Motorola Razr cell phone, a first edition pair of UGGs, and a screening of the short film M.I.L.F.S. (My Imaginary Life for Someone), co-created by Molly Wurwand and Ryan McGlade.
The MILF: An L.A. Personification
“Growing up in L.A., I was surrounded by MILFs — they were omnipresent among my parents’ friends and my friend’s parents. MILFs are unequivocally the patron saints of Los Angeles,” Wurwand tells Hypebae. “To me, the MILF archetype embodies L.A.: natural beauty amplified by glamorous artifice tinged with an ever-present sense of impending doom. Their zest for life, juxtaposed with a poignant undercurrent of fragility and nostalgia, is incredibly compelling.”
The MILF Museum, a tribute to the iconic and much-adored MILF archetype, is open on weekends throughout May and until June 11 at Junior High Los Angeles. Can’t make it in person? You can still own a memento of the experience by purchasing limited-edition prints and the book MILFS: The Book from the THNK 1994 website.
