Centennial Honors College
Western Illinois University
Undergraduate Research Day 2012
Podium Presentation
Discarded
Renae Madison
Faculty Mentor: Jenny Knavel
Art
My work is primarily an exploration of color, shape and form. Objects that others find
mundane intrigue me. My aim is to represent things that often go ignored in a manner
that reveals thought. Living in a rural community I am inspired by generally overlooked
or discarded agricultural objects, which are the subject of my most recent body of work.
I work from photographs and direct observation. Through the brush strokes, mark
making, color and value I create images to bring forth a sense of significance in these
abraded, rusty and textured surfaces. I hope these images can be interpreted several
ways, but my ultimate goal is to reclaim the nobility of these otherwise overlooked
objects.