The exhibition will open on January 13 at Whare Taupua and ends February 7.
Chilton grew up in Invercargill but is now based in Wellington.
The exhibition explored the changes that happened to her when she became a mother about four years ago, Chilton said.
"It’s a series of work that is basically about the duality of love and grief that you experience simultaneously when you become a parent and that transition and growth of your identity changing and the way you live changing."
There would be between 20 and 30 oil paintings in the exhibition.
The style of her paintings had changed since she became a parent, she said.
"There’s much more of a softness to the paintings that I’m creating."
However, there was a tongue-incheek aspect to the use of the word as well, she said.
There was a common belief that mothers should have tender feelings towards their children but sometimes reality was different.
"So intense and frustrating and chaotic and so I feel like I’m using that word in like a bit of a play."
It was fitting the building where the exhibition would be staged was a drop-in centre for mothers about a 100 years ago.
It was not easy balancing an arts career and parenting, it was isolating.
"It can feel so monotonous and mundane every day doing the same thing and there are a lot of parents out there that are really craving something intellectually stimulating that makes them feel like themselves again."
This led her to start learn to paint workshops where parents could bring their babies.
"I started doing that because when I had my daughter I didn’t really feel very interested in typical mum’s groups.
"There’s always a lot of talking among the parents about the things that they’re struggling with and that’s very informal but I think I’m creating an open, safe space where people feel like they can share and so it’s been it’s been pretty powerful."
She hoped to run a new parents workshop during the exhibition.
