The Artist’s Journey
Madeline Rupard, a native of the Utah desert, embarked on a profound artistic exploration rooted in her diverse life experiences. Having spent her formative years in Silver Spring, Maryland, and Augusta, Georgia, Rupard’s artistic journey has been shaped by her intimate connection with the American landscape. She holds a BFA in Studio Art from Brigham Young University and earned her MFA in Painting from Pratt Institute in the vibrant city of Brooklyn, New York, where she currently resides.
Bridging Realities Through Art
Rupard’s paintings serve as a contemplative lens through which she navigates the American terrain, informed by her frequent traversals of its diverse regions. In her latest body of work, titled “Modern Land,” she delves into a “non-comic” artistic expression, departing from conventional narratives to encapsulate the essence of her experiences. The paintings embody a profound sense of wonder and transient observation, capturing the tensions between the suburban and the sublime, the sacred and the mundane.
A Cross-Country Sojourn
The genesis of “Modern Land” is deeply intertwined with Rupard’s personal journey at the close of 2021. Packing her belongings into her trusty 2002 Subaru Forester, she embarked on a cross-country odyssey from Utah to the bustling metropolis of New York City. This transitional period marked both the end of a relationship and a beloved job, tinged with the promise of new beginnings and the allure of the unknown. The rapid expanse of the American highway mirrored the internal tumult of freedom and heartbreak, weaving a narrative that resonates with the collective memory of the American landscape and its transient inhabitants.
Transient Observer and Painter
As Rupard traversed deserts and plains in solitude, she felt an undeniable connection to the broader collective memory of those who had preceded her on similar journeys. The juxtaposition of personal experiences against the vast backdrop of the American landscape raises questions about the intersection of the personal and the universal. Rupard poignantly reflects on the emotional impact of fleeting moments, contemplating why certain scenes, like a desert gas station at twilight, evoke a sense of deep resonance.
Wonder in Transition
Resuming her life as an artist in the bustling urban landscape of New York City, Rupard sought to capture the state of wonder she experienced as a transient observer passing through varied landscapes. Her artistic inquiry extends beyond conventional boundaries, exploring how atmosphere and color can engage our emotions and provoke contemplation. In the quest for artistic expression, Rupard found resonance in the words of the protagonist from the film “On the Beach At Night Alone” (2017), reflecting on the dual nature of loneliness and the inherent pleasure found within.
Madeline Rupard’s “Modern Land” is more than a collection of paintings; it is a visual narrative that invites viewers to embark on a journey of introspection and connection with the vast and diverse tapestry of the American landscape. Through her nuanced exploration of the personal and the universal, Rupard captures the transient beauty and emotional resonance embedded in the fleeting moments of life’s journey.
