Madcollage
My name is Madcollage. I was born in Madrid, Spain. My art training is old school, but my heart led me to collage, and that’s been my passion for the past twenty-five years.
Collage has given me an identity, a purpose, and a reason to persevere. I worked at a gallery when I was younger, and I now freelance and own an online art business. It’s not the easiest thing to do: I’ve persisted through divorce, illness, personal loss, and a pandemic, but I’m still here. Yes, the school of hard knocks is unkind, but it’s efficient. I’ve grown so much. At almost sixty, I see myself with clarity: the good, the bad, and the ugly. I accept myself. I know the whole of my experience informs my work. It’s all there.
I also think that everyone craves a meaningful life, and it’s hard to find something real to stay motivated. I found collage (or maybe it found me), and I’ve never wished for another companion. I’ve crafted my path out of modest materials: paper and glue. They are ubiquitous in my studio and I feel so attached to them. They are my go-to therapy. Collage is my safe place.
I’ve also created a quiet way to bond with strangers using images. That’s been really important, because I am a very private person. Collage makes me more outgoing, more confident. I can share things I’d otherwise not know how to say. I think the need to communicate is intrinsic to artmaking anyway. For me, collage bridges the space between artist and viewer so gently.
Colour is also crucial to my visual language. It stirs something deep and intuitive in me. I currently lean towards colour-drenched surfaces because I relish their tension, saturation, and brightness. I also seek a bit of colour shock through bold combinations. I feel invigorated by the contrast. Colour is playful and joyous, and I couldn’t do without it. There’s an element of freedom in colour, a feeling of splendid confidence. Strong colours are like a double espresso: they pack a punch that stimulates the mind. I love them.
Instagram / Website