Spotlight Artist

Madeline Brice

Midwest
Artist profile photo

if i ever find a dead horse

Cowboy in silhouette covers half his face with a hand; vivid swirling colors in the background.

oil on canvas

maybe we should apologize to the water

Surreal painting of a nude figure with glowing shapes, standing in a wavy, colorful landscape.

oil on canvas

everything is potentially your gift

Surreal painting of blue hands hovering over red and orange waves, with a face in the background.

oil on canvas

Featured in New American Paintings1 / 3

Artist Statement

 In my paintings I try to capture a feeling, or the feeling of several thoughts. Lately they’ve been related to the climate crisis, but sometimes it’s not that serious. Through introspective writing exercises, play, and exploration of train-of-thought, I look for recurring themes and intertwine them with current interests like ecofeminist ideology and cowboy culture. It should be noted that this work is not necessarily encompassed by a narrative, although perhaps a narrative could be drawn. Each piece should be considered its own moment in time––past, present, or future––a stand-alone idea. Interpretation is always encouraged. I am deeply interested in how perception shapes self-conception and the nature of reality, a fascination influenced by my experience with depersonalization/derealization disorder. Ultimately, the work serves as a reflection on the human experience, prompting viewers to engage in critical reflection and dialogue. It encourages introspection and a deeper understanding of human nature, addressing self-deception, harm, and the complexities of perception in our contemporary world.

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