After the Fire

M16 Artspace, Canberra, 2020

In February 2018, the national park at Mount Canobolas just outside of Orange, and a place I spend a lot of time and find much inspiration, was ravaged by bushfire. I began painting this series in mid-2019, in response to seeing the way the bush was slowly recovering from the devastation. I am in awe of the resilience of the environment and its ability to adapt and regrow after natural disasters like drought and bushfire.

In the wake of this summer’s horror bushfire season the series seems even more topical and perhaps, even political. Whilst this is unintentional, I am deeply concerned about the scale of the loss of vegetation and natural habitat. Despite this, I remain hopeful for both recovery and change. This body of work is an ode to the Australian bush. It’s uniqueness and resilience, to me, is beautiful and something to be celebrated. Moments of quiet spent in the bush, when you manage to escape the white noise of civilization, are precious to me.

Madeline Young is an Australian artist living and working in the thriving regional community of Orange, NSW. Madeline creates bold, vibrant, abstract artworks with a focus on colour, shape, pattern and structure. Madeline’s abstract compositions are inspired by the unique beauty of the Australian bush; the way dappled sunlight filters through the canopy, casting long rays of light and shadow and the distinctive blue-green of Eucalyptus leaves filling the air with their familiar scent. Madeline simplifies and exaggerates the shapes she finds in nature and uses blocks of colour to create works that, like the Australian bush, are simultaneously vibrant and serene.

Madeline Young, After the Fire, 2019, oil on canvas with timber shadow box frame, 63.5x63.5cm SOLD — Madeline Young, *After the Fire,* 2019, oil on canvas with timber shadow box frame, 63.5x63.5cm SOLD

Madeline Young, After the Fire: Fallen Tree, 2019, oil on canvas with timber shadow box frame, 63.5x63.5cm SOLD — Madeline Young, *After the Fire: Fallen Tree,* 2019, oil on canvas with timber shadow box frame, 63.5x63.5cm SOLD

Madeline Young, *After the Fire: Smoke Haze,* 2019, oil on canvas with timber shadow box frame, 78.5x63.5cm SOLD

Madeline Young, Crisp Autumn Morning, 2020, oil on canvas with timber shadow box frame, 104x84cm SOLD — Madeline Young, *Crisp Autumn Morning,* 2020, oil on canvas with timber shadow box frame, 104x84cm SOLD

Madeline Young, First Rain, 2019, oil on canvas with timber shadow box frame, 78.5x63.5cm SOLD — Madeline Young, *First Rain,* 2019, oil on canvas with timber shadow box frame, 78.5x63.5cm SOLD

Madeline Young, Winter Frost, 2020, oil on canvas with timber shadow box frame, 43x43cm SOLD — Madeline Young, *Winter Frost,* 2020, oil on canvas with timber shadow box frame, 43x43cm SOLD

Madeline Young, Dormant: Autumn, 2020, oil on canvas with timber shadow box frame, 43x43cm SOLD — Madeline Young, *Dormant: Autumn,* 2020, oil on canvas with timber shadow box frame, 43x43cm SOLD

Madeline Young, Dormant: Winter, 2019, oil on canvas with timber shadow box frame, 63.5x63.5cm SOLD — Madeline Young, *Dormant: Winter,* 2019, oil on canvas with timber shadow box frame, 63.5x63.5cm SOLD

Madeline Young, Spring Sunrise, 2020, oil on canvas with timber shadow box frame, 78.5x63.5cm SOLD — Madeline Young, *Spring Sunrise,* 2020, oil on canvas with timber shadow box frame, 78.5x63.5cm SOLD

Madeline Young, Height of Spring, 2020, oil on canvas with timber shadow box frame, 104x84cm SOLD — Madeline Young, *Height of Spring,* 2020, oil on canvas with timber shadow box frame, 104x84cm SOLD

Madeline Young, Spring Shoots, 2020, oil on canvas with timber shadow box frame, 43x43cm SOLD — Madeline Young, *Spring Shoots,* 2020, oil on canvas with timber shadow box frame, 43x43cm SOLD

Madeline Young, One Year Later: Sunrise, 2019, oil on canvas with timber shadow box frame, 43x43cm SOLD — Madeline Young, *One Year Later: Sunrise,* 2019, oil on canvas with timber shadow box frame, 43x43cm SOLD

Madeline Young, One Year Later: Eastwards, 2019, oil on canvas with timber shadow box frame, 43x43cm SOLD — Madeline Young, *One Year Later: Eastwards,* 2019, oil on canvas with timber shadow box frame, 43x43cm SOLD

Madeline Young, One Year Later: Regrowth, 2019, oil on canvas with timber shadow box frame, 43x43cm SOLD — Madeline Young, *One Year Later: Regrowth,* 2019, oil on canvas with timber shadow box frame, 43x43cm SOLD

Madeline Young, One Year Later: Sunset, 2019, oil on canvas with timber shadow box frame, 43x43cm SOLD — Madeline Young, *One Year Later: Sunset,* 2019, oil on canvas with timber shadow box frame, 43x43cm SOLD