Paint and Plush

Sunday, May 8, 2016

Studio Developments and New Work

Illusions of Desire 2016 Acrylic on canvas 120x120cm

It is with great excitement that I present a recent work from my studio: Illusions of Desire.
It is a complex piece that I find enjoyably un nerving. Immediately sweet and enticing, yet uncomfortable to behold, with it's un clarified body imagery and disappearing chasms. One feels slightly voyeuristic, staring curiously into the chasms and folds of the voluptuous shapes, restrained only by imagination as to what the painting may reveal. Like an illusion the composition is veiled in a layer of titanium white to create pastel hues that revel in ambiguity. It is precisely this contradiction and visual menace that I enjoy.

Monday, April 25, 2016

Introducing A New Jewellery Label :

Introducing POP KIOSK a contemporary jewellery label designed and made by Madeleine

Cruise in Newcastle New South Wales. Inspired by old shop signage and the

details of 1930’s architecture, POP KIOSK combines strong geometric composition

with bold colour to create striking design pieces in timber and paint.

Influenced by a love of dance, each piece takes the name of a pop song and

references a time when music was played on the juke box in the local

milk bar. Pastel tones and playful patterns

reference the iconic décor, flavours and pop rhythms that could be found at the kiosk.

Each piece from POP KIOSK is a unique product, made from hand cut timber that

is shaped with bevelled edges and sanded for a soft finish. Painted with acrylic

paint and completed with a matte varnish the final surface is polished and water

resistant. The current collection from POP KIOSK consists of a range of brooches

and will soon expand to include a series of earrings and necklaces.

POP KIOSK is now available for purchase online through it’s Etsy store.

https://www.etsy.com/shop/popkiosk?ref=hdr_shop_menu

You can also follow pop_kiosk on https://www.instagram.com/

Devil Inside Brooch $45.00
A snappy orange tiger brooch for your wearing pleasure ! Hand cut and painted timber shapes with bevelled edges make this one of a kind brooch. A geometric bold composition that will pop ! On your shirt.

Sorry Brooch $45.00
Think Justin Bieber's dancing pop models from 'Sorry' and you'll be ready to embrace the orange and purple of this hit brooch. Hand cut and painted to resemble a lightning bolt and finished in a matte varnish. This is a one of a kind design and signed by the maker.

Love Me Tender $40.00
Reminiscent of the milk bar street sign that glows overhead on the footpaths of yester year. An irregular square and pentagon make up this particular composition, hand painted in blue, black and finished with a matte varnish. This is a unique item, signed by the maker and ready to wear !

I Think I Love You Brooch will beat like your on your chest

Papa Don't Preach Brooch $35.00
This handmade timber brooch is inspired by a 1950's Milk Bar, with it's polka dot sprinkles, pastel blue lino and mandarin sherbet, crafted into a wearable icon. This hand cut, painted and lacquered brooch with soft bevelled edges is one of a kind and signed by the maker. Let it shine on a white blouse or sports jacket whilst drinking a milk shake !

Thursday, April 21, 2016

Opening night at Marrickville Garage: 15 April 2016

A big thank you to those who came on opening night to celebrate the Bammy Residency Exhibition at Marrickville Garage,

In a truly diverse show that featured ceramics, textiles, painting, drawing, video and performance, it was amazing to believe that only three artists were responsible. Jacqueline Larcombe, Prince Aydin and Madeleine Cruise are three very different artists each with unique practices and motivations, who, united by friendship and the experience of the Bammy Residency presented a strong united front in their group show. While some artists brought more of their external interests to the creation of their work, an underlying presence of the Australian bush and the conditions that it provides for solitude, reflectiveness and creative practice was obvious in all the works. From the hand built ceramic mugs of Jacqueline and the felt lines of Madeleine's bush sketches to the loud provocations of Prince's painting, each body of work was in conversation with the Hawkesbury river in some way.

The space in which the show was presented added an intimacy to the experience of the exhibition too, shown in a former garage out the back of a classic inner western Sydney house, the exhibition space, was warm, inviting and exuded authenticity. The generous renovators and facilitators of the space, otherwise known as Marrickville Garage, the artists and the audience all huddled together in a very meaningful fashion to celebrate not only the present exhibition but the value of a grass roots arts communities in Australia.

The final day of The Bammy Residency Exhibition will be Saturday the 23rd of April 11 - 5PM

https://marrickvillegarage.com

Sunday, April 10, 2016

Exhibition Opening This Week In Sydney

April Projects

BAMMY RESIDENCY

Prince Aydin, Madeleine Cruise, Jacqueline Larcombe

Saturday & Sunday 16-23 April 2016, 11-5pm

Exhibition launch Friday 15 April, 6-8pm

https://marrickvillegarage.com/

This show features the artists Prince Aydin, Madeleine Cruise, Jacqueline Larcombe, who took up the very first Bammy Residency in 2015, run by Marrickville Garage from a house on Mangrove Creek.

United by friendship the three artists share responsibility in the administration and direction of NANA, a not for profit and artist run space located in Newcastle NSW.

Prince Aydin, Paint Like A Man (Apparently): Chapter Two. Video, 2015-2016

During the four week residency, Prince consolidated their experimental performative works, using the natural setting as ‘stage’. Working across with painting, drawing, dance, writing and video, Prince reveals identities, desires, humiliations, frustrations and pleasures; through a post-queer, feminist lens.

Madeleine Cruise, Mangrove Caves 2015 Acrylic on canvas 80x66cm

Madeleine Cruise responded to the landscape whilst visiting Mangrove Creek, making drawings and watercolours outdoors, before working on collages and larger paintings in the studio. The final works operate as interconnected psychological interiors and landscape paintings that chart the emotional terrain of her experiences within the natural environment of Mangrove Creek.

Jacqueline Larcombe video still from "Mangrove Creek Commune", 2016

Jacqueline Larcombe used her time on the Bammy Residency to continue a series of giant clunky mugs. As time progressed she converted the mugs into novelty products marketing the possibility of a new life in Mangrove Creek. This coincided with a video made during the residency titled ‘Mangrove Creek Commune’, a short narrative style video about a fictional ‘alternative’ women’s commune being set up along the river.

Thursday, March 24, 2016

Paintings now in Melbourne !

I am excited to announce that my work is now being shown in Melbourne at the beautiful interior design store: Modern Times.

This luxurious Homewares Emporium features Vintage European Design Furniture, Contemporary Australian Art & Homewares and is located at 311 Smith St, Fitzroy.

Modern Times showcases artwork from a strong cohort of contemporary Australian artists who's work share a similar aesthetic and complement the interior design of the store. Two of my paintings are currently on exhibition in store and online and available for purchase.

You can find out more by visiting:

http://moderntimes.com.au/shop-by-artist/madeleine-cruise