Bloom is a large-scale art installation by Madeline Walker, which opened up in May of 2017, and has since traveled to California, Nevada, and New York. Bloom integrates painting, sculpture, and ceramics with technologies like 3D Printing and CNC routing to create large-scale installations.
Bloom is inspired by the experience of living with repetitive OCD thoughts. These experiences are brought to light in this visual art series, which seeks to eliminate the stigma surrounding mental health topics. Rapidly growing algal blooms, which are found in various aquatic environments, have equally informed this body of work. The growth patterns of these structures, which are largely indicators of water quality, are used as a visual parallel to the overwhelming nature of OCD.
What’s next?
A month-long artist residency at Vermont Studio Center to produce the remaining installation parts for Madeline’s ongoing series.
A traveling solo art exhibition which changes with each space. The next destination is the Hunter Gallery in Newport, Rhode Island, where Madeline will travel to install the work.
What is an artist residency, and why is this one important?
Vermont Studio Center is the largest international artist residency in the United States, and ultimately it is the time, space, and community that Madeline needs to create the remaining parts of this installation. The undivided time and resources this residency offers would help Madeline to fulfill the vision she has for the reach of the project.
Madeline received a merit fellowship for the residency at Vermont Studio Center, however, there are many remaining costs associated with the project.
Primary expenses include travel to and from the residency, travel to and from the galleries, studio materials (plaster, paper, clay, mason stains, paint), studio equipment, shipping, and printing.
Madeline Walker & Jonathan Stein converted half of their apartment in upstate New York into working studios, and most recently into a temporary pop-up gallery for this Kickstarter launch. They plan to open up their spaces to the public periodically, to engage the local community and show how their work is made.
To find out more about recent exhibitions and interviews go to:
www.madelinewalkerart.com
www.lafemmecollective.
adelinewalkerart.com
www.youtube.com
www.buffalocreekart.
kickingitforward.org
