Madeline Denaro

On The Edge Of Normal

2022

Synthetic polymer on canvas My work is very much about process. I find the image secondary to the art making. Although abstract in nature, there is an underlying visual order that g...

Synthetic polymer on canvas My work is very much about process. I find the image secondary to the art making. Although abstract in nature, there is an underlying visual order that g...

"To allow something that I do not control to have an action, to allow oneself to bring this action into a materiality; this is why I make art. My work is very much about process. I ...

"To allow something that I do not control to have an action, to allow oneself to bring this action into a materiality; this is why I make art. My work is very much about process. I ...

This powerful and vividly colored diptych by Malcolm Maloney Jagamarra (born 1955), a renowned Warlpiri artist, is an extraordinary example of contemporary Aboriginal art, drawing deeply from cultural knowledge, ancestral memory, and ecological stewardship. Depicting the sacred narrative of the creation of the Lander River system, the painting is both a visual masterpiece and a spiritual map, tracing a journey through geography, kinship, and Dreaming (Jukurrpa). At first glance, the canvas pulsates with energy. Vortices of concentric circles in rich ochres, reds, yellows, and blues dominate the composition, pulling the viewer into the spiraling flow of the Dreaming. These forms are not merely decorative; they carry deep cultural meaning. The blue line that winds through the center of both canvases is a stylized yet surprisingly geographical depiction of the Lander River, representing its twisting path through central Australia, from the artist’s home country of Willowra to Purtulu (Mount Theo), his mother’s land. Purtulu, meaning “backbone” in Warlpiri, forms not only a physical destination but a metaphorical axis that holds the painting together. This backbone is both personal and cosmic—representing the spine of the land, the structure of ancestral lore, and Jagamarra’s own familial inheritance. The work is grounded in the artist’s kinship obligations and responsibilities to country, with specific references to the roles of kirda (owners of the Dreaming) and kurdungulu (caretakers). In Warlpiri culture, this relational dynamic is foundational—it is the system by which land is cared for, stories are maintained, and ancestral laws are fulfilled. The Dreaming Goannas, positioned at each end of the canvases, are key ancestral figures. Their presence not only signals the sacred nature of this journey but also reflects the traditional Warlpiri iconography—note the “U” shapes, which are used to denote seated ancestors. The goanna is a totemic being, and its hunting patterns and ecological relationships are mirrored in human behavior. To maintain the health of the land and support the goanna population, it is necessary to burn the country regularly. Jagamarra references this practice with depictions of spinifex grass and hunting grounds, connecting mythological beings with tangible ecological practices, and blurring the line between story and science, belief and land management. The left canvas contains the Owl Dreaming, where an abstracted face of the owl can be discerned—haunting and watchful. The owl, a silent observer of the night, brings wisdom and a sense of foreboding. It is a powerful spirit presence in many Aboriginal traditions. Meanwhile, the right canvas turns to the Warna, or Snake Dreaming. The snake, winding and water-bound, is both creator and destroyer, and its movement echoes that of the river. The snake’s body, woven into a hypnotic spiral, is a symbolic representation of the waterways that give life and form to the central desert. This artwork is more than a painting—it is a teaching. It encodes knowledge about ecology, fire management, kinship roles, and sacred geography. It is both autobiographical and communal, a map of memory and belonging. Created within the living traditions of Warlpiri law, it speaks to the inseparable relationship between people and land in Aboriginal worldviews. Malcolm Maloney Jagamarra’s work is a powerful expression of this connection—his hand guided not only by brush but by heritage, ceremony, and Dreaming. Its journey from the Aboriginal Art Galleries of Australia in Melbourne to the Kelton Foundation in Santa Monica, and its exhibition at venues such as the Australian Consulate in Los Angeles and the Indigenous Wisdom and Healing Conference in Virginia Beach...

This painting by Antoinette is a stylish and luxurious mixed media on canvas piece depicting abstract flowers with bold use of color and contrast. The gold leaf background and the brilliant deep crimson and violets from the florals allows for the luminosity to shine through effortlessly, as the lines and intricate details of the silk paper laid over paint and mixed media add a most interesting texture. The artist's hand embellishes gold leaf to add elegant accents. This painting comes housed in a black oak floater frame with hanging wire on verso ready to be displayed. Art measures 47 x 63 inches Frame measures 48.5 x 64.5 inches Antoinette Ferwerda is a renowned Australian artist largely recognized for producing a bold collection of fine artwork that joyfully explores the geometry of shape and the changing light from dusk to dawn. Championing her love for shape, reflection, and nature using a diverse pallet of mixed media to portray her abstract interpretations of nature. Antoinette's diverse past and a childhood that was somewhat nomadic has inspired much of her work today. Antoinette’s backstory reads like something out of an adventure series, having spent her early days living in remote pockets of Papua New Guinea, where she was lucky to spend time in a seaside shack on Ela Beach in Port Moresby, as well as the volcanic town of Rabaul, the Cargo Port Lae, before moving on to Darwin where her Dad worked for the Red Cross and helped with the re-build process after Cyclone Tracy. This was followed by a family stint in Europe, visiting Netherlands, London, Belgium, France, Italy, and Switzerland, before finally settling back in Melbourne for her formative years. Her love for nature and exploring the patterns and relationships she finds within started early. “I’ve been forever fascinated with color and the magical interplay of light”. “Blessed to have a teacher Mum who fostered regular creative time during our nomadic stint, my childhood was largely spent creating, especially outdoors”. Never without a pen, sketchbook or scraps of paper, her natural ability to create in layers instinctively started in these early years. Although her work continues to evolve, she consistently creates works that are rich in layers, resulting in pieces that are optimistic, luminous and full of stories from her colorful life. Her signature work is abundant with color and texture, resulting in a transparent quality of her works. Adaptable to any palette, Antoinette has produced works from a diversity of spectrums and mediums – sun-soaked, muted and ethereal, vibrant, as well as monochromatic with accents of gold. Her themes include abstract and metaphysical interpretations of fossicking in rock pools, exploring the rolling hills of the countryside both here and abroad, the rock formations of the Australian outback and the magical light of a European summer to name just a few. Her dream and longing to become an artist became a reality after starting her own family and farewelling a corporate life in the pharmaceutical industry, with her debut solo exhibition in 2014. Six years on, Antoinette has fast become a firm favorite amongst interior designers, stylists and home decorators alike, having been represented by fenton&fenton, Thom Gallery and Trit House (formally Click On Furniture) to name just a few. Continually experimenting and evolving as an artist, Antoinette invites the viewer to look deeper through surface layers to find hidden stories of color and form. Past collections have been inspired by visits to the bustling markets of India, the morning light outside her childhood beach shack...

This painting by Antoinette is a stylish and luxurious mixed media on canvas piece depicting abstract hills shapes with bold use of color and contrast. The dark denim blue background and the azure blue from the ocean allows for the luminosity to shine through effortlessly, as the lines and intricate details of the silk paper laid over paint and mixed media add a most interesting texture. The artist's hand embellishes gold leaf to add elegant accents. This painting comes housed in a natural oak floater frame with hanging wire on verso ready to be displayed. Art measures 47 x 47 inches Frame measures 48.5 x 48.5 inches Antoinette Ferwerda is a renowned Australian artist largely recognized for producing a bold collection of fine artwork that joyfully explores the geometry of shape and the changing light from dusk to dawn. Championing her love for shape, reflection, and nature using a diverse pallet of mixed media to portray her abstract interpretations of nature. Antoinette's diverse past and a childhood that was somewhat nomadic has inspired much of her work today. Antoinette’s backstory reads like something out of an adventure series, having spent her early days living in remote pockets of Papua New Guinea, where she was lucky to spend time in a seaside shack on Ela Beach in Port Moresby, as well as the volcanic town of Rabaul, the Cargo Port Lae, before moving on to Darwin where her Dad worked for the Red Cross and helped with the re-build process after Cyclone Tracy. This was followed by a family stint in Europe, visiting Netherlands, London, Belgium, France, Italy, and Switzerland, before finally settling back in Melbourne for her formative years. Her love for nature and exploring the patterns and relationships she finds within started early. “I’ve been forever fascinated with color and the magical interplay of light”. “Blessed to have a teacher Mum who fostered regular creative time during our nomadic stint, my childhood was largely spent creating, especially outdoors”. Never without a pen, sketchbook or scraps of paper, her natural ability to create in layers instinctively started in these early years. Although her work continues to evolve, she consistently creates works that are rich in layers, resulting in pieces that are optimistic, luminous and full of stories from her colorful life. Her signature work is abundant with color and texture, resulting in a transparent quality of her works. Adaptable to any palette, Antoinette has produced works from a diversity of spectrums and mediums – sun-soaked, muted and ethereal, vibrant, as well as monochromatic with accents of gold. Her themes include abstract and metaphysical interpretations of fossicking in rock pools, exploring the rolling hills of the countryside both here and abroad, the rock formations of the Australian outback and the magical light of a European summer to name just a few. Her dream and longing to become an artist became a reality after starting her own family and farewelling a corporate life in the pharmaceutical industry, with her debut solo exhibition in 2014. Six years on, Antoinette has fast become a firm favorite amongst interior designers, stylists and home decorators alike, having been represented by fenton&fenton, Thom Gallery and Trit House (formally Click On Furniture) to name just a few. Continually experimenting and evolving as an artist, Antoinette invites the viewer to look deeper through surface layers to find hidden stories of color and form. Past collections have been inspired by visits to the bustling markets of India, the morning light outside her childhood beach shack...

This painting by Antoinette is a stylish and luxurious mixed media on canvas piece depicting abstract floral shapes with bold use of color and contrast. The Silver Leaf background allows for the luminosity to shine through effortlessly, as the lines and intricate details of the silk paper laid over paint and mixed media add a most interesting texture. The artist's hand embellishes with free fall paint dripping to add elegant accents. This painting comes housed in a black oak floater frame with hanging wire on verso ready to be displayed. Art measures 31.5 x 31.5 inches Frame measures 33 x 33 inches Antoinette Ferwerda is a renowned Australian artist largely recognized for producing a bold collection of fine artwork that joyfully explores the geometry of shape and the changing light from dusk to dawn. Championing her love for shape, reflection, and nature using a diverse pallet of mixed media to portray her abstract interpretations of nature. Antoinette's diverse past and a childhood that was somewhat nomadic has inspired much of her work today. Antoinette’s backstory reads like something out of an adventure series, having spent her early days living in remote pockets of Papua New Guinea, where she was lucky to spend time in a seaside shack on Ela Beach in Port Moresby, as well as the volcanic town of Rabaul, the Cargo Port Lae, before moving on to Darwin where her Dad worked for the Red Cross and helped with the re-build process after Cyclone Tracy. This was followed by a family stint in Europe, visiting Netherlands, London, Belgium, France, Italy, and Switzerland, before finally settling back in Melbourne for her formative years. Her love for nature and exploring the patterns and relationships she finds within started early. “I’ve been forever fascinated with color and the magical interplay of light”. “Blessed to have a teacher Mum who fostered regular creative time during our nomadic stint, my childhood was largely spent creating, especially outdoors”. Never without a pen, sketchbook or scraps of paper, her natural ability to create in layers instinctively started in these early years. Although her work continues to evolve, she consistently creates works that are rich in layers, resulting in pieces that are optimistic, luminous and full of stories from her colorful life. Her signature work is abundant with color and texture, resulting in a transparent quality of her works. Adaptable to any palette, Antoinette has produced works from a diversity of spectrums and mediums – sun-soaked, muted and ethereal, vibrant, as well as monochromatic with accents of gold. Her themes include abstract and metaphysical interpretations of fossicking in rock pools, exploring the rolling hills of the countryside both here and abroad, the rock formations of the Australian outback and the magical light of a European summer to name just a few. Her dream and longing to become an artist became a reality after starting her own family and farewelling a corporate life in the pharmaceutical industry, with her debut solo exhibition in 2014. Six years on, Antoinette has fast become a firm favorite amongst interior designers, stylists and home decorators alike, having been represented by fenton&fenton, Thom Gallery and Trit House (formally Click On Furniture) to name just a few. Continually experimenting and evolving as an artist, Antoinette invites the viewer to look deeper through surface layers to find hidden stories of color and form. Past collections have been inspired by visits to the bustling markets of India, the morning light outside her childhood beach shack...