Madeleine Kaudy

Lives and works in St Paul, MN, USA

Artist statement

My works are semi-abstract explorations of spaces of human dwelling, often depictions of urban spaces in the context of twilight. These works feature a focus on light both as theme and as medium. The artificial lights of the city, including traffic lights, lampposts, city lights, lighted signs, and lights inside buildings, serve as semiotic indications of human density, human occupancy, longing, and safety. Depictions of dwellings in rural or suburban settings outside of urban areas are also central to the work, where nightfall evokes an ancient sensation of searching off into the distance for the respite and safety of a campfire. The investigation centers around feelings and emotions associated with the otherness of being outside in the darkness while other people are inside in the light and safety of shelter. Paintings are made on canvas, paper, linen or muslin with any combination of acrylic, oil, latex, watercolor, and gouache paints. Some may also include other materials such as ink, colored pencil, oil pastel, marker, and graphite. Collaged elements may include painted paper, sketchbook work, print material, textile, and/or cut lithograph, photopolymer gravure, screenprint or other printmaking. Canvas, paper, or muslin picture planes may have shapes cut out of them and collaged material covering or partially covering the holes. Installation work may include sculptural material such as wood, steel, string, textile, reed, gel light filters, light strips, and other...

Artwork