Sean Madden
Degree: MA Fine Art
Graduation Year: 2005
New Blood Art Statement
Describing his artistic approach as 3-D collage, the multidisciplinary artist Sean Madden explores and creates elemental hybrids that culminate in powerful sculptural forms. Constructing small-scale sculptures, Madden counteracts their modest size with signals of power, vigour and strength, taking heed from cartoonish figurines, aerodynamic principles and historical symbols of fortitude and tenacity.
Exploring both the medium as much as the subject matter, Madden presents his bronze-cast statuettes often in a rough, textured finish, implying an Expressionist emphasis of the material and surface as seminal to the oft-imposing forms. With titles that range from Epic to Supernature, Madden’s work is an embrace of the fearless and brave.
Artist Statement
The themes and ideas for my work are varied and abstract, I'm influenced by almost anything. That said, I am a fan of the bizarre and exotic. It's also true to say that my work, both 3D and painting, have a certain exuberant menace or sombre quality and that curiosity and contemplation (along with a touch of humour) feature heavily too. I have recently set up a new studio in Bexhill On Sea, East Sussex where I plan to return to making larger abstract paintings, the coastline being a major new influence in my work.