About
Meet Madeleine
(Photographed by Chris Bowes)
Madeleine Thornton-Smith is a formally trained painter and ceramic artist from Melbourne. Her practice examines the hierarchy that exists between fine art and craft in relation to class and gender. She has taught a variety of children, teens and adults' classes at the Box Hill Community Arts Centre for more than a decade.
Employing a slow process of accumulation and repetition, she uses slipcasting to bring together commonplace studio material textures with archetypal forms from fine art and ceramics - such as vessels, plinths, frames and canvases. This mimetic process raises questions about the status and value of ceramics, art and craft. As well as regularly exhibiting, Madeleine is heavily involved in arts advocacy and community work, and various writing, educational and curatorial projects. Madeleine is currently studying a Masters of Fine Art by Research at RMIT investigating the politics of gender and labour in art and craft, with particular focus on the ceramics sector.
Inspiration
Madeleine is inspired by colour, landscape, organic flowing forms and patterns. After working for years in art programs for people with disabilities, she is a strong believer in the capacity for art to affect growth and positive change in the community.
Areas of Expertise
Painting, drawing, collage, photography, installation, ceramics, handbuilding