Artist Statement

I embark on a creative jounrey that revels in the absurd. My artistic endeavors, ranging from sculpture to photograpy and beyond, are a vibrant exploration of the reflections of consciousness, but with a twist that leans heavily into the whimsical. I want my work to encapsulate ideas of how people and objects take up space an indulge in each other. I want to show a lived in environment and proof that there is action and movement within a space, and that it is based on not only the conscious actions and decisions we make as humans, but the natural flow and gravity of the world.

My sculptures defy the ideas of classical form and idea, serving as a gateway to surrealistic dreamscapes. The idea of creating something that has never been made before and seems as though it doesn’t belong in this world motivates me. I create fantastical forms that challenge conventional notions of reality, like a mass of plaster that expands from the corner of the wall painted in a sickening blue color, that is vaguely reminiscent of a waterfall while also reminding viewers of the “Tar Monster” from Scooby-Doo 2: Monsters Unleashed. These tangible absurdities invite the viewer to step into a world where the ordinary and extraordinary are indistinguishable, sparking wonder and a sense of playful confusion. Within the realm of photography, I also find fascination in capturing the absurdity inherent in people’s everyday lives. I aim to reveal how the surroundings of individuals can serve as mirrors reflecting their own peculiarities. By placing individuals with their environments, I expose curious interplay between the external and internal worlds and the dialogue that is exchanged between them.

Artist Bio

Madeline Zawada was raised in Columbus, Ohio and was introduced to the world of clay and ceramic sculpture in 2015. Zawada went on to study at DePaul University in Chicago, Illinois and graduated in June of 2024 with a Bachelor of Fine Arts in Art, Media, and Design with a concentration in Sculpture. Zawada’s work operates primarily in sculpture and photography with themes that push the mind to think about the absurdity of consciousness in people and objects and how they interact in space. At DePaul, Zawada delved deeper into mixed-media sculpture, working with wood, metal, plaster, and other materials. Zawada also found a passion for photography, both digital and darkroom. Zawada has been in numerous exhibitions including: The Weird and The Wonderful at Fulton Street Collective in Chicago, Il, and the Nation Counsel of Education of the Ceramic Arts Student Juried Exhibition in Minneapolis, MN. Zawada has also worked alongside the Chicago Public Art Group in an internship and with the DePaul Artists Collective as their Communications Chair and President.

Currently, Zawada is living in the Beni Mellal region of Morocco working as a Youth Development Specalist with Peace Corps Morocco.