Introduction
Michael Madden was apprentice-trained as a specialist decorator, working in wealthy private London homes, European and London hotels and Sultan’s palaces, then attended the City & Guilds of London Art School to learn traditional restoration techniques, carving and figurative modelling. He later recieved an MA Art in Architecture from UEL. Working since then on many historic projects, he now generally makes new work that fits into a period context.
Having spent many years learning traditional skills and engaging in restoration projects, he tries to ensure that whatever he makes possesses the quality and feeling of a particular period, to the point where he often feels out of time with the contemporary definition of art - especially the idea that important "artists" have to employ "technicians" to make work for them. On the sculptural side he has worked on important public projects in terracotta, wood (see photos) and bronze (pics available by request). His painted work ranges from specialist decorating, murals, church decoration to restoring intricate pieces of lacquer and painted furniture.
His influences are from many eras and regions of the world - he is
drawn to art which originally had a spiritual or ceremonial function and tries to
imbue his work with something of those qualities. He has also recently started to make work for a gallery context…... " I have developed these traditional skills, sourcing from historic iconography in order to create a series of painted and carved works which engage with contemporary issues but utilize an element of "social surrealism" and humour (see Adam and Steve and The Almighty Cheeseburger and Fries in photos option). The reason I often source Christian iconography is because we now live with the perceived threat of apocalyptic disaster on many fronts, trying to deal psychologically and morally with issues like global warming / genetic engineering / factory farming / the rise of fundamentalism etc, at the same time as trying to keep pace in a global free market system. Our societal and moral values still possess the vestiges of a Christian heritage. So these works are made to urge the viewer to ask social, environmental or moral questions and I defend the fact that some may appear morally or politically challenging by quoting George Orwell’s view which I share, "the opinion that art should have nothing to do with politics is itself a political attitude."
Michael was recently asked back to teach wood carving at the City and Guilds of London Art School.
Contact details
Work tel: 0208 314 0625
Website: http://www.michaelmadden.co.uk/
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Image Gallery
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Title: London Coliseum
Media: Terrecotta
Description: New figures and lions for London Coliseum restoration. (2002-3)
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Title: The Bridgewater Madona (after Raphael)
Dimensions: Lifesize
Media: Carved limewood
Description: 1990
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Title: Master Model for Coliseum
Dimensions: Lifesize
Media: Modeling Clay
Description: 2002
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Title: The Almighty Cheese Burger with Fries
Dimensions: 560 x 470mm
Media: Acrylic on carved oak.
Description: After the medieval. (2001)
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Title: Foot and Mouth Window
Dimensions: 1200x1200mm
Media: Acrylic on panel
Description: Book cover for book titled From Mayhem to Meaning. (2001)
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Title: Adam and Steve (after Cranach), 2006
Dimensions: 117cms x 80cms
Media: acrylic on panel