Madeline Young 

Artist | Curator

As a child growing up in regional Australia, Madeline Young has always found solace in art, provided with an ever-inspiring landscape in her hometown of Orange, NSW.

Before completing her degree in Fine Arts at the University of Newcastle in 2009, majoring in printmaking and photography, Madeline travelled the U.S. teaching art classes at summer camps. Post-university, Madeline returned to Orange taking up the role of artist-in-residence at Kinross Wolaroi School from 2011 - 2014.

Since 2014, Madeline has devoted her time towards managing and curating The Corner Store Gallery in Orange, working with Australia’s emerging artists, from both the country and city. Here, Madeline strives to promote and support other artists and designers through her work at the gallery, something which helps her find creativity in her own practice.

Within her oeuvre, Madeline flitters between abstract and realism; each inviting a dreamy palette of colours from the landscape or vivid jewel-like tones. There is always a return to pinks in its various guises, eucalyptus greens, and earthy browns; occasionally colours popping up that reveal a connection to emotions and life. Like the changing seasons, the canvases reflect time. After the bushfires and drought, warm dusky tones set into the canvas; in the emotional 2020, blue hues seep into the palette.

Abstract paintings with geometric compositions are taken from Madeline’s photography in nature, then manipulated in photoshop before being meticulously painted on the canvas. However, Madeline’s latest series features trees carved into the abstract with coloured pencils, the colour blocking aesthetic inspired by her screen-printing days. The trees are a vehicle for colour, the lines adding composition, revealing a sense of nature and a birds-eye view of seeing.

Madeline first uses coloured pencils on the canvas to draw the composition and build the painting. She then begins a layering process, applying a clear gesso which leaves the canvas raw, exposing the linen and natural material—connecting the artwork to nature. The rough texture, almost like sandpaper, allows for a sleek finish of oil paint resulting in a matt finish. The whole process is a meditative practice, reflecting on each action and each moment.

Moving forwards, Madeline wants to capture more foliage-filled, leafy scenes, like looking through the canopy and even a gum blossom or two. But no matter what the style, painting is always on her mind—turning the rocks and grass, the changing seasons and landscapes, or even just the character of the mountains and bush into art.

Words by Emma-Kate Wilson