Wood carving
Madigan worked in a wide variety of timbers, and had a natural understanding of the feel of the particular block of wood, whilst also being able to bring out her own strong sense of form in every piece.
On this page: Link to Wood Assemblage.
Nagarr - Walnut; 1970s Balmain East; Commission from the Avon Company for their corporate offices in New York.
Wooden head; Adelaide
Wooden head; Adelaide
Abstract forms; Adelaide
Torso on painted plinth; Balmain
Relief figure (teak); Adelaide
Torso - wood with graphite patina; Balmain
Sketch for marble scuplture; Balmain
Figure plaiting hair; Adelaide
Figure plaiting hair; Adelaide
Semi-abstract torso ; Adelaide
Two heads and a figure: wood with graphite patina; Balmain
Torso - small
Figure; Balmain
Torso on plinth
Small torso back
Small torso front
Torso
Torso - ebony
Mimi
Torso 1954
Walking figure
Walking figure
Walking figure
Torso
Small male torso; Balmain
Moses; Adelaide
Moses; Adelaide
Moses; Adelaide
Small male torso; Balmain
See also: Standing Nude (sold at auction 2006)
Figure with tree
Figure with tree
Wood piece with painted torso
Figure with painted base; 1977
Figure with painted base; 1977
Torso; 100cm
Torso; 100cm
Torso; 100cm
Fête Champêtre: 1949, walnut relief, as part of the winning potfolio for the NSW Travelling Art Scholarship, now in the NGA collection.
Wood assemblage
From the 1960s Madigan started to use painted off-cuts of plywood from Adelaide harp maker Peter Kempster, to create more abstract sculptures (one can be seen in the background of the homepage photo). Later during her years in Sydney she had access to wooden machine casting model shapes (through partner Robert Klippel), as well as off-cuts from her own work, and developed a strong individual semi-abstract style based on her understanding of the figure, with most still based on the torso. This continued alongside her carving practice from that time.
Painted wood; Four faces
Wood assemblage: bronze patina
Wood assemblage: bronze patina
Wood assemblages: bronze patina
Wood assemblage: bronze patina
Wood assemblages: bronze patina
Found wood, painted (Yass)