Miniature Gallery

Madigan had a fascination with the miniature. Early in the 70s she started to carve very small wood sculptures. She considered the smaller form not inferior to more conventional sizes - in fact for the viewer it provides the opportunity to look even more completely at the 3-dimensional nature of a work, and this needs to be perfect in form. Deciding how to present these works so that they could be valued with as much weight as larger works, she decided to create a “Gallery” to provide a perspective of their own. This comprised representative miniatures of her larger media and styles, and was augmented similarly with works on paper.

Other small sculpture and works on paper

The works below range between ca 2cm - 10cm. Each miniature work invites you spend time to look closer, to see details and relationships of form in an intimate way. Media include alufoil, chocolate wrappers, ebony, bronze, painted wood, coloured modelling clay (both shaped and carved): an endless creative exploration of the solidity and movement of figure and form.

Visiting the Sydney Paddington Markets to look for dolls for her collector sister, Madigan started her own collection of dollhouse furniture and articles. This became a shared pastime and interest between Robert Klippel and herself, with the growing collection of delicate and whimsical objects placed in a long row along her kitchen shelf. Small collages and sculptures by both artists added to the original environment.

See miniature work by Robert Klppel painted by Rosemary Madigan at the NSW Art Gallery site