02/10/2026
The Story Behind My Ginger Mum by Kay Le Seelleur Ara Kay Ara
This is the story behind My Ginger Mum — a deeply personal work by Kay Le Seelleur Ara, inspired by the bond between Kay and her mother.
Kay’s mother was six feet tall, with an incredible mass of wild, frizzy ginger hair. In the photograph, we see Kay alongside her brother and father.
Kay’s mother married at just 19 and had Kay when she was 20. When Kay was only 11 months old, in 1942, a letter arrived in the post bringing the devastating news that her father had been killed during the war after his U-boat was bombed.
Kay recalls that, from then on, it was always just the two of them — her and her mother.
This heartfelt painting offers a raw and intimate representation of Kay being breastfed by her mother, capturing not only a moment of tenderness, but the profound connection between mother and child.
Behind every artwork is a story. Over the coming weeks, we’ll be sharing more of the stories, memories and inspirations behind the artworks in our collection.
Follow along to discover the stories behind the art.
CCA Galleries International
