Madelynne is an abstract painter living in Kansas City, Missouri. She is a self-taught artist, whose work is expressionistic and often includes depictions of culture or spirituality characterized by bright colors, movement, and texture. In this exhibit, artist Madelynne Jones uses abstract techniques to create a collection of work focused on the process of deconstruction and the tension between chaos and freedom of change. 

“This work is uniquely personal and follows my journey as so many aspects of my life changed in one year: my career grew in a new job, I painted my first solo exhibit, became a homeowner, left my church of five years, and rediscovered my faith.  All the places that had defined me shifted and I had to find myself again. Through processing and painting, my work also shifted, and what I saw on the canvas was a style I hadn’t explored before. Yet, my work felt alien and nothing like the self that I had come to know. This collection shows my journey of processing. The viewer will see all the cluttered chaos in the beginning as I sort out all the relationships, imposter syndrome, and preconceived notions of myself competing for attention. As time goes on, the abstract becomes more calm and fluid. I learn to let go. Things settle and I find new rhythms.  A new self emerges, grounded in freedom without competing voices. Just my own. I’m learning that my voice is not a style a texture or a color scheme but an ever-evolving melody. I changed. And there is freedom in change.”

Presented in partnership with the Department of Arts & Humanities.